A/N - Flashback sequences / Memories will be in bold/ italic

The day to depart from the castle and into the Greudo Desert had come. Many dignitaries and nobles were hung over from their revelry the night before. So the departure of the Greudo delegation was going to be a subdued affair. They were to leave at noon of that day, so Bato thought it'd be a good idea to get his farewells done in the morning.

Link decided to join him. He wisely turned in early, thus not being affected by any hangover. (He didn't even drink any alcohol) When the two asked a guard where Impa and Zelda might be at this time, he referred them to a chamber maid who was preparing to go up to Zelda's personal bed chamber.

When they reached the bed chamber, Impa, Zelda and Saria were already in there. Showing the proper respect due, Bato and Link bowed before the princess while the chamber maid took the dirty linens in a basket, then swiftly went out the door. The group of children, as well as Bato, sighed a collective sigh of relief.

"It's not to be said that I, personally, would rather skip the formalities." Zelda walked over and sat down at the table. "Link." She looked over at Bato, "though we haven't really interacted much with one another, Mr. Bato, you are someone that Link trusts dearly and for me, that's enough."

"I am honored to be held in your confidence, Your Majesty," Bato bowed humbly. Zelda gave Bato a sharp look. Now that all the unfamiliar people were gone, Zelda wanted to address all of them as friends. Not mere subjects. "I mean, thanks."

"Is this what you're to put up with every day, Zelda?" Saria asked, worriedly. "I still feel awful about your father having to lecture you about 'being a proper princess.'"

"Such is my lot in life, Saria. The eyes of the court are always on me. I've grown used to it, however. Besides." She turned to Saria, smiling, "I would not suffer anyone speaking ill of my friend. Especially those who would discount your identity when you provided proof enough."

"Nevertheless, your father still has cause to worry." Impa walked over to the table and stood beside it, crossing her arms. "A princess is not like a common person. They are beheld to rules and traditions that dictate their actions and words."

"I am well aware," Zelda said, tensely.

"You can be set as the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. Be mindful of that when you conduct yourself on official business. I believe that's the point His Majesty was trying to make." She mumbled quickly, "not that there's anything wrong with what you did."

Zelda smiled brightly, "Impa? Did you say something?"

"Nothing, Your Highness." Impa turned to Bato and Link. "You'll be taking your leave of us, at noon, will you?" Saria looked sadly away from them. "It can't be said that eyes, both near and distant, will be watching your every move."

"Me, as well?" Link asked.

"I'd say more with Bato, than with you Link. But yes. Anything that you do will be reflective on him. Keep that in mind and try not to do things irrationally." She turned to Bato. "But I can count on you to keep an eye on things, right?"

A subtle threat. Bato nodded, "I'll make sure that this guy is looked well after." He headed towards Saria and knelt down before her. "We have your song, Saria. We can talk to you whenever we're free."

Link nodded in agreement, but Saria's sad face did little to assuage her fears. "Just come back, okay? Make sure that you contact me every few days!" Bato looked at Link, who smile and nodded again. "Promise."

The Caravan was ready to go. All the Greudo delegation, their horses, and the gifts that they received from the king were all packed up and ready to go at the Castle Town Entrance. There was a cart with a cage on top of it, surrounded by Greudo guards. In the cage was Avesa, ever silent. The guards were looking at her, with disdain. As Bato and Link prepared their horses and equipment, he caught a glimpse of Avesa.

Link turned towards his direction. "What's with that lady in the cage?" The boy didn't know the true reason why she was there. "Did she do something wrong?"

"She was a spy sent by Ganondorf," Bato revealed, and it physically sent shivers down Link's spine. The boy's eyes grew wide, and he looked around apprehensively for a moment at the Great King of Evil's name.

"Bato," he whispered. "There's a good chance that we'll see him, won't we."

"It's a high possibility."

He shook his head. "Just like how you told me about the future Zelda and her actions, you can say the same for the future Ganondorf and his. He still probably hates me for ruining all of his plans."

"I'd be sore, too."

"Still," Link stood silent for a moment while watching Utia direct her sisters to make their final preparations. She was liaising with the castle guards. "I still consider him to be evil. I mean, he killed many innocent people when he rebelled. He dragged this war on for a year. I'd say he's just as evil now than he was in the future."

Bato couldn't fault him for that. This was the man that caused great suffering over the course of Link's adventures in Hyrule. Everything about him screamed 'evil.' "Eventually, we will have to confront him. But it doesn't mean that you have to."

Link looked wide-eyed. "I don't?"

"No. These talks have nothing to do with you. If anything, the kingdom would like me to talk to him and Nabooru to put an end to this war. Ganondorf doesn't even have to know that you're with us. You can just stick around in camp, guard it and make sure it's safe."

Link looked around, pensively. "Bato…I-"

"Sisters and friends!!" Utia's voice rang out. "It is time! Make ready for departure." Whatever Link wanted to say, it would have to wait. The command to move out was given. The horses, carts and Greudo moved on, bidding farewell to the Castle Town.

Link entered through the giant door, sealed with the boss key. Unlocking it, he entered the room. Two open entrances were barred by iron bars, with another door. He entered and found himself on a stairway with a red carpet draped over the steps and floor. Green walls, decorated with stained-glass that seemingly were just there for decoration and served no purpose.

But there was no time to waste. Zelda was captured by Ganondorf, and he was going to save her. He ran up the stairs, the organ music getting louder and louder. The stairway went on forever, getting brighter as he ascended towards the sky. Finally, he came to another door. He took a deep breath, his heart racing from the adrenaline and from running up the stairs. He entered through.

In front of him was a massive chamber. Zelda was still conscious in a pink crystal, with Ganondorf continuing to plan on his organ. Suddenly, the Triforce of Courage shined forth on Link's hand. Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom shined on her hand as well. A healing force enveloped the boy, pain, and fatigue fading away. Ganondorf stopped playing. "The Triforce parts are resonating…" he said, without looking at Link, "they are combining into one again…"

Ganondorf continued his monologue, "the two Triforce parts that I could not capture on that day seven years ago. I didn't expect they would be hidden within you two! And now, finally, all the Triforce parts have gathered here!"

He turned in dramatic fashion, cape waving in a non-existent wind. "These toys are too much for you!" His Triforce of Power shined on his hand. "I command you to return them to me!" Summoning a dark wave of power, it enveloped Link, paralyzing him. Stoic as he was, he wasn't immune to the pain.

It was nighttime now. It would take the caravan an entire week to travel from Castle Town to the Gerudo Valley. The sun had already set. Some guards posted sentry, while others took a long rest from the day. They were camped in the middle Hyrule Field. A small tent city sprawled in the middle of nowhere. Bato woke up from his sleep in his tent. He looked around. No Link.

Groggy, he started to crawl towards the closed fabric entrance. Opening it, fire blazers illuminated the area. Squinting his eyes for a moment, he saw the main camp area. A fire surrounded by exotic mats. The horses were kept right outside the tent area. Besides the sentries walking around, he noticed only one figure sitting by the fire.

Link was staring, absentmindedly, at the fire. There was something calming and soothing the way it looked. He saw Bato walking towards him. "Sorry Bato. Did I wake you?"

He sat beside the boy. "I distinctly remember tucking in a boy near me and when I woke up, he wasn't there."

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I just…had a bad dream."

"Or a memory?" Bato asked, inquisitively.

Link stared at him for a moment, looked away, and sighed. "I can't keep coming to you like this. I want to do it myself. I don't want to be a burden to you."

"You're not. I do it because I want to." Silence again. "I know you're not weak. It doesn't mean you have to go through whatever you're feeling alone. Keep it inside yourself, and it will eat you from the inside out. That's what I want to avoid."

He was silent for a moment. He continued to look at the fire, it's sparks dancing at night. "Ganondorf," he said, finally.

"When?"

"In the throne room."

Bato nodded. "Oh yeah." He made a fist with his right hand. "These toys are too much for you. I command you to return them to me!" He showed his fist in the same Ganondorf did. It was so hauntingly similar that Link went pale. "Sorry."

"It's fine. You just said it word for word." Looking to see if anyone else was watching, he spoke a little quieter. "You know so much for a person who came from another world."

"Doesn't mean I know everything. Just what you've experienced, that's all."

"Right." Link thought for another moment. "Why did he want the Triforce? He only had the Triforce of Power. Imagine if he had all three."

"I believe that was always his intention. He couldn't get it because his heart was imbalanced. He only had a lust for power, and power does not distinguish itself from good or evil."

"Zelda said something like that before the castle started to crumble."

Bato held his chin. "Yeah. 'Ganondorf… pitiful man… Without a strong, righteous mind, he could not control the power of the gods.' Those mortals who chose to play God pay a steep price for their arrogance."

"Is that what he wanted? He wanted to be God?"

"Perhaps it was the case when you fought him. It wasn't always that way, though."

Link looked at him, dubiously. "What?"

"What if I told you that his intentions before were far nobler than what you were expecting?"

The boy stood up, his face brimming with anger. "You got to be kidding me!! The guy is evil!!"

Bato held his hands up. "Settle down before you wake up the others." Link took a breath, sat down, crossed his arms and pouted. "Have you ever wondered why he wanted the Triforce in the first place?"

"He wanted power," Link said quickly.

"That was a bonus. The Triforce would have given him that; a potential for power. But the real reason could be for his people. He was once known as 'King of the Gerudo.' He saw the suffering of his people and wanted to do something about it. Likewise, he sought to bring prosperity to them." Link seemed to be enraptured by Bato's words. "There were two things in his way: the Royal Family and lack of expansion."

"Ex-pansion?"

"Becoming bigger. Anyway, having a lot of sand doesn't really do much for anyone. He needed the fertile land of Hyrule. Especially after that civil war. Now, a normal king would have done what any regular king would do. Barter, make alliances, swear fealty, become a vassal. But someone put the idea into his head that obtaining the Triforce would gain him unlimited freedom and unlimited power. He could save his people by obtaining this legendary artifact and bring them the prosperity he promised in one fell swoop."

During this, Link was gently shaking his head, in disbelief. "You mean…you mean someone made him evil? Who?"

"The sorceress sisters: Koume and Kotake."

Link's jaw dropped. "You mean those two wacky sisters in the Spirit Temple?"

"Those 'wacky sisters' happen to be his surrogate mothers."

"Okay, wait, wait." Link stood up and walked around. "Let me get this straight. Koume and Kotake made Ganondorf evil, and he might have not done all those horrible things if he hadn't listened to them?!"

"Yup."

"If that's true, then we need to rush over to the Spirit Temple and stop them!!"

"Already done. Nabooru already dealt with it after the failed coup."

Shaken, Link sat back down on the cushion. "Does that mean Ganondorf won't turn evil?"

"It's a possibility, but I wouldn't say that. The sorceress sisters may have turned him evil, but it doesn't necessarily mean he has entirely good intentions. He can say that he's doing everything, even killing, for the sake of the people. I trust him as far as I can throw him." Anticipating the question with Link's confused face, he answered quickly, "it means I don't trust him at all."

"So just say that!" Link put his knees into his chest. "I don't understand any of this! The guy I thought was completely evil may not even be. He was tricked into being evil?"

"It's pretty tricky, yeah. But like I said, you don't have to concern yourself with any of this. It isn't your problem."

"But you are!" Link said, still covering his face.

Bato looked at him. "What?"

"I don't want Ganondorf to hurt you! You haven't faced him like I did! He's dangerous, powerful, insane-"

"- and scary?" When Link didn't do anything, he went over to give him a side hug. "I can take care of myself. You know that. I can see where you're coming from, though. We don't even know what to think about him now that his plans have been ruined. You don't have to protect me, but it's sweet of you to do so."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You faced Ganondorf because you had to. If it had been any other day, you probably would have run. That courageous spirit forced you on, and you did what you had to do. I'm proud that you were able to do that. But I say again, he's not your concern. You're not alone."

Link looked at him, teary-eyed. "I'm so weak."

"Sharing your problems and your feelings doesn't make you weak. It makes you mortal. Fear and anger are not bad things, inherently. They are used to show others that you need help in dealing with whatever you have going on. Everyone in this mortal plane is dealing with something in one form or another. You? You've dealt with a lot more. You're not doing yourself any favors by bottling up your emotions until you break down from them. That, is what I don't want to come from you." Releasing him from the hug, Bato got up. "I'll always have your back Link. Know that."

The boy didn't say anything for a while. It was when Bato turned to head back into the tent when he heard him whisper, "thank you, Bato."

"You're very welcome, Link." Walking away, he decided to leave Link at the fire for a little while longer. Walking into the darkness, Bato stopped. "Got what you came for?"

Utia, dressed in black, with a red waist cloth, stepped out the shadows and into the dim torchlight. "Bato."

"I hope you heard all of that because I'm not repeating a single thing."

"Nor do I expect you, Bato. Still, only Ganondorf's inner circle is privy to the knowledge about the sorceresses being his surrogate mothers. At best, it is a well-guarded secret."

"You want to know where I got that information."

"Obviously."

"I'm afraid that is my secret alone. You're just going to have to figure that out yourself."

She stepped forward towards him. "Do not play with me. If you knew this, then you probably know all of our secrets."

"What if I do?" He crossed his arms, eyes narrowed at her. "You're the one who roped me into this mess, anyhow. You selected me to be this 'advisor' to appease your people. What I know and how much I know are not your concern. If you'd rather me and Link leave, we will at first light. If not, then drop it already. Know that I have no intention of sharing the Gerudo's 'precious' secrets."

"Your words are not worth much."

"The same could be said about yours." Both stared each other down. The sentries, even though they were patrolling, trained their ears to this exchange.

Finally, Utia relented. "We will continue on at first light, in the morning. I suggest you use what's left of this night to get some sleep." She turned away, "remember where your loyalties lie."

"I always do." Shaking a little, she left Bato who was fuming with that exchange. She was right about one thing. He needed to get as much sleep as possible if he didn't want to be left behind tomorrow morning.

It was just as Utia said. Early next morning, everyone was already preparing to depart. The first day, Bato made no attempt to make himself known to the Hyrulian delegation. At best, he was an advisor. At worse, a hitchhiker. He wouldn't interfere with their agenda so long as they kept him out of it. As he prepared his wagon, he saw Link sleeping on the bottom. He took a blanket and covered him. Moving for only a moment, Link settled down again.

"Must have stayed up all night." Bato was just as tired, but he didn't have the luxury to sleep the day away. They were entering Gerudo territory soon, which made the chances of Ganondorf's forces launching a surprise attack more plausible. Bato's driver was ready to go; she got up early to load up everything. The caravan started after everyone had breakfast an hour later. They were moving at a moderate speed. The change of color was almost apparent. The vibrant greenery of the landscape was slowly being replaced by harsh sand. The sandy dunes of the Gerudo desert were on the horizon, indicating a harsh environment.

As the caravan continued on, Bato sat right beside the sleeping Link. He closed his eyes, trying to practice his sensing once again. He sensed Gerudos, Hylians, all shapes and sizes. Not only that, but he sensed Avesa, sitting meditatively with her stalwart guards surrounding her. How the green was slowly being replaced by the sand. They were approaching the Gerudo Valley. The rushing of Zora's River, the arid air, the stony break mountain faces. Oddly still, he sensed more from this area.

He focused himself, strained from sensing for too long. But the group had caught his eye. It was more than a group. It was an attack force, perched up on one of the many hill tops. Scimitars and horses at the ready, there were about thirty to forty of them. They all were aimed towards where they were headed.

It was an ambush.

"How interesting," Bato said, aloud, not knowing that his driver was listening.

"What is, voe?" Bato opened his eyes quickly and said nothing, hoping that she was just talking to the wind or wouldn't be interested in what he sensed. Unfortunately, the driver pressed on. "You know something, don't you?"

"What makes you say that."

"I've heard the rumors, Bato. The man of many talents. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if you can 'feel' something in the air, hm?"

Bato shook his head, "you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

The driver looked at him, her hands still on the reins. "Try me."

Now she was calling him out. He hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly. "We might be…heading…towards…an ambush." Her eyes grew wide. At once, she grabbed a horn from somewhere under her seat and blew on it. This woke Link up as he jumped out, almost trampling Bato. The entire caravan stopped.

"What's going on?" Link asked, groggy.

Bato replied, with a sigh. "Trouble."

The driver leapt from her place in the wagon seat and rushed towards the front. About fifteen minutes later, she and two guards were escorting her. "Lady Utia wishes to speak to you. Now."

"Shit." Link ran out as Bato was about to go when he stopped him.

"I wanna come! If there's something out there, I can help!"

"Which is why I need you here, with the caravan. I need someone I can count on to protect them." Link frowned and stomped his feet once, announcing his displeasure. He headed back towards the wagon. Bato, the driver, and the guards went towards the front of the caravan. There, Aita was seen speaking with a Hylian woman. Flowing locks of brown hair cascaded down her back, like a waterfall. Her piercing hazel eyes looked at Bato with a calm, but fierce, intelligence. She was adorned in simple armor, somewhat intricate and worn, that shimmered in the light.

By all accounts, she looked like Zelda from Breath of the Wild. Just as a brunette.

The woman sighed heavily, looking pointedly at Uita. "This is the reason we've stopped?"

"Yes," Utia said, deadpan, "Lady Felia. He is the reason we stopped."

She clicked her tongue, in response, "So, you're Bato the prodigal farmer. Seems our ambassador is interested in what you have to say."

"I gave your driver specific instructions to let us know if you said anything suspicious. A claim of an ambush would warrant this response." Utia went closer to Bato. "Tell me what you know."

Bato gave a polite bow. "My lady." He pointed towards a mountaintop, overlooking the bridge of the Zora River. "About thirty Gerudo are waiting for us, scimitars drawn. As soon as we cross, they'll probably attack."

"Must be the traitor's cavalry," Utia mused. "During the civil war, he favored running down the enemy, using such tactics to keep them unbalanced."

"Do they seek to destroy us?" Felia asked.

Utia shook her head. "No. My guess is that they're a distraction. There's probably another force nearby."

"For what reason?"

"…I do not know. They want something from us."

Everyone was silent for a moment until Bato spoke up, nervously. "I could draw them out. But there would be casualties at their end. It would be the last thing I'd like to do."

One of the soldiers laughed at him. "What are you going to do? Wave a carrot at them, hoping they'll come to you?" He tried to laugh, but no one seemed to catch onto his humor

"That's enough," Felina said, evenly. "I've heard grumblings ever since we left Castle Town. Like it or not, Lady Utia was the one that invited him to be part of this delegation. Speak in such a manner again and you will be punished." The soldier scoffed, turning his head away. "The Hylian delegation has been debriefed on his talents and skills. I am inclined to believe in whatever he claims. You are many things, Bato the farmer, but a liar isn't one of them." "Besides." She turned to Bato, with her icy glare, "He fought off a total of fifty-five bandits in his lifetime. I'm sure that a small force like this would pose no issue."

"Even though you vouch for me, why do I have the feeling I'm being mocked?" Bato turned to Utia, "My Lady? Might I suggest seeking a non-lethal deterrent?"

The Gerudo shrugged, impassively. "They are traitors. They've cast their lot, the day they aided the despot. You must eliminate them."

Somberly, Bato walked away from them and in front of the entire caravan. With both hands, purple orbs shone forth. A purple light filled the air before it started to take shape. It had purple scales, but its features were prominent. With large, thin leathery wings, it sat on its hind legs, swishing its massive tail. Spikes ran upon its spine, with two large horns pronouncing each side of its face. It was a dragon.

With a flick of his wrists, the dragon took flight and headed towards the hilltop. Meanwhile, Felia, Utia, the Gerudo and Hylians all looked with a collective shocked horror.

"By the sands," Utia whispered. "What have I unleashed upon them."

"You did tell him, didn't you?" Utia didn't say anything in response. The dragon flew over the hilltop and started breathing fire upon the group of Gerudo. They all scattered at the sight of the dragon. Some of them were brave enough to try to fight it with bows, but the arrows bounced back on its thick scales. The dragon slammed onto the ground with its powerful legs and swished its tail, knocking the attacking Gerudo down. Then, it wound up its head back and snapped at an unfortunate warrior, who was eaten alive. The dragon took flight, again, heading towards a different hilltop. Same attack. Same result.

Bato breathed heavily. With that summons, that almost took everything out of him. But he didn't have an opportunity to relax, though. With another purple orb in his right hand, he summoned a spectral horse and headed towards the battlefield. When he arrived, a lone Gerudo survivor was standing, staring at the charred bodies. She wore simple Gerudo garb: red vest, white trousers with brown boots. She wore her hair in a ponytail, wearing an elaborate necklace. "Gerudo!" Bato yelled, dismounting his horse and summoning his bound blade. "Face me!!"

Turning slowly, she took out two scimitars. The two clashed with one another, Bato blocking each of her light attacks. She deflected some of his blows too. Both ragged, Bato dashed against her, but she somersaulted away from his attack. She dashed forward, scimitars raised, eyes focused on her prize. Somehow, Bato moved between her blades as she stabbed, and he kicked her hard on her chest. This sent her flying into a nearby rock face and laid face first on the ground.

Getting up slowly, the Gerudo reached for her fallen swords, but an arrow pierced her hand. Another pierced her leg. Looking at her enemy, she sees him notching another arrow with an ethereal bow. Then, he stopped. Unsummoning it, he walked towards her with a quiet, menacing, glare. At once, he stomped on her wounded hand, the Gerudo shrieking in pain. Another stomp. Another cry.

Felia, Utia and a contingent of Hyrulian and Gerudo soldiers galloped towards the dueling duo. They arrived, just as the Gerudo begged for death. "Kill me! Just kill me!"

Bato said nothing but continued to crush her hand under his foot. Screaming in pain, she fiercely looked at him, tears streaming, with a defiant glare. Utia ran over towards them. "Enough! I said enough!!"

"Remember the order," Bato said in a singsong voice, menacingly, "you must eliminate the traitors. I always follow my orders, my Lady."

A look of realization dawned on Felia's face as Utia looked desperately at her. "Felia, please! He's going to kill her!" Felia walked towards Bato and the Gerudo. She saw his face. It was void of all emotion, no pleasure, only focus.

In his mind, the little voice spoke. "Yes, kill her. She's an enemy. Let her screams fill the air! Teach those who would defy you, their place! You are the master of their destinies! Not them!"

"Bato." Felia pleaded softly. "Release her. She is beaten. What would Link say if he saw what you were doing?"

This snapped him back to reality. He looked around, disoriented. "What was I?" He looked at the ground, the writhing Gerudo beneath him. Immediately, he jumped off, looking at her with horror. He looked around, seeing the others. "By the goddess! I- What did I?"

Utia rushed over and cradled the Gerudo in her arms. "Uraka. Why did you join him? I told you that this would happen."

"By your hands' sister, not his." She stared at Bato. "You know the law, Utia. He's beaten me in combat. My life, is in his hands."

"No!" Utia fiercely positioned herself between Uraka and Bato. "I just found you! I'll die before I let him take you!"

"So, you would dishonor me?! The King would keep our traditions and laws alive, while you and the traitor would abandon them! That is why I joined! Leave me, Utia. I accept death!"

But Utia wouldn't listen. She screamed at Bato, "if you are to take a life, let it be mine!"

Bato could only stare at the two. The air was tense, with no one saying anything. Finally, he spoke. "I never wanted to be here in the first place. Fuck this and fuck you." Confused stares were drawn, while Bato narrowed his eyes in disgust. He turned swiftly and started back towards the caravan. The dragon was long unsummoned when Bato started his walk back. Groups of Hylians and Gerudo were taking in the fleeing and wounded. He stared, despondently, as he tried to work out what happened.

"I summoned the dragon. I summoned the horse. I rode and…blank. What happened? I…I don't remember…" He kept on walking, not noticing a voice calling out to him.

"Bato! Bato!" Turning, he saw Felia, galloping towards him. Her steed buckled as she stopped. Dismounting, she walked towards and started to scream at him. "What, in all the goddess' Sacred Realms, did you do? A flying lizard? A horse? Beating a Gerudo captain in single combat?! What are you?!"

He could only laugh in response, "no idea, my lady. Haven't figured it out, myself."

"Stop it with the 'my lady' crap, I don't care for it!" She got right in Bato's face. "Lord Rarro and His Majesty made it perfectly clear! Your actions have an impact on the entire region! You might as well declared war on the entire Gerudo race!"

"Okay!? So, if you knew this was going to happen. If you knew about my powers, why didn't you stop me?! You said it yourself, what happened to those bandits a year ago! You knew!"

"I'd thought everyone was exaggerating! Never have I seen such a power like this!" She started to calm down. "You're right. His Majesty told me. Lord Rarro told me. Even Lord Cobn. I didn't listen. I just…let you have at it. I should have stopped you."

"Ya think!?" Bato flared in anger, opening wide his arms. "I summoned a fucking dragon to roast those Gerudo! Many of them maimed, burned and/or killed! Because you and that bitch wanted to fuck around and find out!!!"

Felia looked at him, confused. "What do you mean by this?"

He gave a deep sigh. "Many people were hurt or killed because of me. The Gerudo will never forgive me, regardless of their kin's status as traitors. It also seems that I've harmed Utia personally." He looked at Felia, earnestly. "I cannot apologize enough. I will submit to whatever punishment the delegation and/or Gerudo see fit. It's only fair."

"Just…just stop." She held out her hand. "We're at fault here. We didn't listen to you, after the evidence was shown and your personal warnings. We'll handle it when we get back. Alright?"

"Alright."

Felia mounted her horse. "You want a ride? It's pretty far from the caravan."

Bato shook his head. "I need to think about what happened. Have no doubt, I'll be there before the end of the day."

"Like I said, Bato. You're many things, but a liar isn't one of them." She took her horse and galloped away as Bato continued to walk back.