Author's Note:

Hello there everyone. I apologize again for the very long delay. However, with this update comes wonderful news. I have done it. My first book has been published on Amazon for Kindle and paperback. It was a long, tiresome road and it still continues on for I have already started the outline for the next book. The title is: Dead Rain The Calm by RP Wildheart. I would appreciate if you would go check it out to see if it is something you are interested in. If it isn't, please tell others that you believe that would be. Even those who you think won't be.

So, yes I have started on the next book, I am going to be taking a break through January of doing any really heavy work of the next one. During that time, I am going to update this story as much as I can. I thank you all for your patience through this process, and hope you will enjoy the chapter.

The sun sets to mark the end of the day. Nestled between two canyon walls was the Gerudo Canyon Stables, and it marked the entrance to the Geurdo Desert.

Link sat outside eating a meal, alone. His eyes wondered toward the whirling sands only sixty feet away. An occasional roar from the Divine Beast echoed through the area, followed by a violent crash of lightning.

He heard a dog bark, and quickly turned around expecting to see Midna. Yet, all that was there was an ordinary dog.

Link sighed as he stared at his food.

Rhomson walked out of the stables and joined him. "We are able to leave our horses here. No charge to us. Chief Riju has a helped this stable a great deal. So, we are all set."

Link nodded.

"Still uneasy?" asked Rhomson.

"I'm worried about their health," replied Link.

"More so for Mipha right?"

Link nodded.

"I am worried about Hudson and the others as well Link. None of their wounds are fatal. We have treated them the best we can. The fairies will patch them right up."

"But all the way into the Geurdo Desert?" asked Link. "Isn't there a closer one?"

"Fairies move from fountain to fountain of the Great Fairies," Rhomson replied. "Around this time of year, they will be at the Great Fairy Fountain in my homeland. We didn't have the needed materials to make health elixirs, and going to hunt the correct monsters could take longer."

"And Chief Riju will be able to help us?"

Rhomson nodded. "Once we have eaten, we'll head out."

"Why did we have to wait for nightfall?" Link asked. "Why couldn't we have just set out immediately when we arrived hours ago?"

"Link," Rhomson began, "do you remember anything about deserts?"

Link shook his head.

"That is what I thought. Deserts are difficult terrain to cross in any time of the day due to the extreme heat. Yet at night, there is nothing to hold that heat in, so the cold sets in fast and fierce. It is a little easier to travel at night, but not by much. We should reach Kara Kara Bazaar in a few hours."

"And I will need to wait there since men aren't allowed in Gerudo Town," Link stated.

"That is how things have been for generations Link," Rhomson replied. "No matter where you stand in life, men are not allowed inside."

Link nodded.

Both finished their food, and set out into the Gerudo Desert. Immediately, cold wind hit the two swift and hard. Rhomson put on a wool blanket while Link hastily put on his warm doublet he had bought. The two ventured out into the desert at night, with the shriek of the Divine Beast being the only common sound they heard.

WwwwwwW

In Lurelin Village, night had fallen. Mipha stared out the window with Gaddison resting in the same room. Teba had woken up hours after the battle, resting in the same room as Hudson. Rivan patrolled with Pyle and Bargoh around the village while Midna stayed close to the injured.

"I still don't like the idea," Rivan said with a huff.

Pyle rolled his eyes. "We heard you the first twenty times. It was the best option we had."

Bargoh nodded. "Yes. They can get more memories and land covered faster with a smaller group."

"But the Yiga clan's main base is in that desert," Rivan argued.

"Yes but the Gerudo are also there," Pyle replied. "They will be fine."

"I'd still would prefer us being there," Rivan stated.

"We would have slowed them down," Bargoh replied.

"We have been going slow for awhile," Pyle added.

Rivan clicked his tongue. "There are safety in numbers though."

Bargoh rolled his eyes. "But a larger group can't travel as fast as a smaller group."

"There are only sixteen days until the next Blood Moon," Pyle stated. "That was the time limit that was given by-"

"Which precious time that got wasted with the stunt you two pulled," Rivan barked.

"Not this again," said Bargoh.

"Yes this again because it is a valid point," Rivan continued. "We stick to Princess Mipha's plan. Rhomson and Link get fairies and bring them back to speed up the healing process."

"And then after words we what?" asked Pyle. "Continue to journey with a large group and slow down the process of defeating the Calamity?"

Rivan clicked his tongue a second time.

"See," said Bargoh, "even you believe this is taking too long."

"..."

"No come back?" asked Pyle. "That is a first. If you can't add anything useful, maybe you shouldn't complain either."

Pyle and Bargoh continued their patrol leaving Rivan alone.

Rivan clenched his fists. I don't have any idea how we can do this better...all I can do is fight. We are traveling with a too large of a group.

His gaze turned skyward to the stars. "I can't do anything on my own, nor can I help a larger group."

He shook his head. "Stop it. This isn't about you...this is much larger."

Rivan resumed his patrol, not knowing that Mipha heard the argument from her resting place.

She gripped her blanket tightly. "It doesn't matter what others say. I will do what is best for Link and help him grow."

Yet in her distracted state, even Mipha was unaware that Gaddison had one eye half open.

WwwwwwW

Step by step, Rhomson and Link marched their way through the cold desert air. Link looked in all directions before him, all that could be seen was sand with the canyon wall shrinking behind them.

"Are you sure we are going the right way?" asked Link. "Every direction besides behind us looks exactly the same?"

"We are," Rhomson replied. "Trust me. I grew up in the desert."

"I do trust you...just unsure about the unknown out here."

Rhomson smiled. "That is how it is with first timers."

"Well according to Mipha, I have been here before. I just...don't remember."

"That seems to be the main problem. You don't remember a lot of things."

Link looked away in shame. "I am sorry. I don't mean to sound like a broken record."

Rhomson stopped and looked at Link. "Then stop apologizing for things that were beyond your control."

Link looked at her. "But all this was my fault. I failed."

Both of his hands clenched.

Rhomson shook her head. "No. It isn't your fault that this happened. In fact, there are stories that it was because of you that the Champions survived the take over of the Divine Beasts."

"But only Mipha is alive," Link argued. "My saving them didn't do anything in the end."

Rhomson slapped him. "Do not insult your own actions like that."

Link rubbed his cheek.

Her glare narrowed at Link's eyes. "Your actions have done more than you can realize. More than any realizes but a select few. Chief Riju is one of them as is the King of the Zoras. Lady Mipha is among that number as well."

Link was silent.

Rhomson turned away from him. "You have also gotten better and this self-loathing that you are so hung up on is a weak knot in the blanket we call life. We all have them and need to be aware of how to strengthen it so it doesn't break us."

Silence.

"Um...what?" Link finally asked.

Rhomson's face grew a faded shade of red. "Sorry I suppose that didn't make much sense. Trying some advice I got from Hudson."

Link looked down at the ground.

Only the sound of sandy winds filled the air.

Link lifted his head. "So...what you meant was that there are ways to stitch our 'weak knots' so that they are not so...loose?"

Rhomson blinked before she giggled. "Yes."

She turned back to face him. "Link, you are right. Right now, your knots are not stitched properly. I'm sure Lady Mipha has helped to tighten them, but you also have to find a way to do the same on your own. Asking for help is not a weakness, but falling back on others to solve your own problems every time is."

Link looked away. "...I...have been doing that."

Rhomson nodded. "The fact that you can see that is good. Now come on, we have an hour or so until we reach our destination."

The two continued on the invisible path that laid before them. With Rhomson leading the way, soon they arrive at a settlement, surrounded by a worn ring of stone, with the only solid structure being a stone cave with a platform of similar stone on top.

"Kara Kara Bazaar," Rhomson said. "We are here."

She approached a Gerudo guard and gave her a note. The guard nodded and left.

"What was that all about?" Link asked.

"Just asking them to pass along a message," Rhomson replied. "And to keep an eye on you while I am gone."

Link hung his head. "Right."

"What is the matter?" asked Rhomson.

"Can I do some exploring?" asked Link.

Rhomson shook her head. "No. While this desert is the Gerudo's domain, the Yiga's main base is also lurking among the sands. It's too dangerous."

Link somberly nodded his head.

Rhomson rubbed her chin. A small smile curled on her lips. "There is a ladder leading up to the top of the structure here. It has quite the view."

She patted his arm before leaving back into the desert, heading deeper into the terrain.

Link followed the hint that Rhomson gave and found the ladder that lead to the top of the structure. There was a spectacular view from the top. The stars sparkled brightly. Link sat down and stared at the stars. A small smile did form on his face. He tuned out the rest of the world, and exhaled a relaxing sigh.

Beautiful, he thought.

Link didn't notice that someone had climbed up onto the platform. A Hylian wearing Gerudo garb. The figure smiled behind the veil that they wore and star gazed on another part of the platform to leave Link be.

Link closed his eyes. I wish Mipha was here. She would have loved the view. Then again, perhaps a desert isn't a place for a Zora. The only water seems to be that pond at the center.

He slowly opened his eyes. "A drink would be nice."

He stood up and moved over toward the ladder and climbed down. He moved toward the pond and stopped. He took another look around.

I've seen this...before. Recently. The album!

He reached for the Slate but stopped. His hand shook. He took a few deep, calming breaths before taking the Slate out.

"This...this might be a bad memory," he quietly spoke to no one, "but Mipha did say...look past the bad ones to find the good ones. Okay...here we go."

His arms shaking, Link hesitantly opened the album. He moved the pictures around until he found the one he was looking for: a small oasis surrounded by rock and sand.

This is it.

The memory came to him quickly: Zelda running from members of the Yiga clan, tripping and falling down at the spot where he now stood. He was running toward the scene and nearly blocked the oncoming attack. She called out his name as he began to fight off the Yiga clan members and dispatching them while receiving some small cuts. When all enemies were gone, Link turned towards Zelda as he sheathed his sword. He reached out his hand and asked: 'Are you alright?'

Link then blacked out.

Moments ago, Link stood next to the pond staring out into space, unaware of some heavy steps approaching him from behind. A large, heavy hand rose up and tapped the back of Link's head, knocking him out. The Goron caught him and threw him over his shoulder, carrying him away from the desert, leaving the Slate in the sand, and with the few Gerudo guards stationed here knocked out on the desert floor.

Meanwhile, Rhomson continued to make her way through the cold desert night towards Gerudo Town. She managed to ride a wild Sand Seal to cover the distance faster. Upon arriving, she headed straight for the palace.

A Gerudo guard stopped her. "The chief is asleep. No visitors."

Rhomson reaches into her pouch and pulls out a rolled up scroll. She hands it to the guard. The guard reads it.

"I understand. I will go get her. Wait inside."

The guard leaves with Rhomson following only a little way in. A few minutes later, Riju walked into the chamber with a soft yawn.

"Couldn't you have picked a better time to visit?" she asked groggily.

Rhomson knelt down. "I apologize Chief but it is an emergency."

Riju holds up the parchment given to her. "So I see."

Another yawn leaves Riju's mouth.

"So you need to get to the Fairy Fountain deeper in the desert?"

"Yes Chief Riju."

Riju stretches. "Well...I am up so might as well get to it."

"Thank you for your understanding," Rhomson said as she lowered her head.

"Raise your head," Riju replied. "I'm too tired for that. Let's get some guards assembled and seals for them."

The guard next to her bowed. "At once Chief."

The guard leaves.

"So quick report then," Riju said.

Rhomson gives a quick summary of the journey that she took with the others. Riju did yawn a few more times, yet continued to pay attention.

"That is what we have done so far," Rhomson ended.

Riju rubbed her chin. "It is going slower than I thought it would."

"A large group tends to move slower Chief."

Riju nodded. "Perhaps it would be best if Link traveled with only Mipha and Midna."

"I don't see how that will work," Rhomson stated. "The guard to Princess Mipha wouldn't let her go willingly. Teba, I am not sure how he would respond. Hudson would be fine and so would I, but it's those two Gorons that will protest the most."

Riju nodded. "Yes. I agree. The Gorons have been nothing but trouble recently. There are some in our town and in the desert. I am certain that they are scouts or spies."

Rhomson stood up quickly. "They are out there in the desert?"

Riju notice Rhomson's worry. "Yes...wait...where do you leave Link?"

"Kara Kara Bazaar."

Rhomson and Riju shared quick glances and then bolted out of the palace.

A guard approached them. "Chief-"

"Gather a smaller number of guards and seals for them. Send them to Kara Kara Bazaar immediately."

"Chief?"

"Now!"

The guard saluted and ran off. Riju summoned her personal Sand Seal, Patricia. Rhomson borrowed one from the near by trainer and both surfed towards the Bazaar. Pushing their seals, they arrived in minutes, only to see their fear realized: the guards stationed knocked out and on the ground, and sticking out of the sand was a device familiar to Rhomson, the Sheikah Slate.

Rhomson picked it up. "By the Triforce, those rock heads have him."

Riju checked on the guards who were slowly coming to. "Those idiots are going to get us killed."