The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 47 - The True Desert

...the Gerudo rider leading them on through the expanse waiting for them. Daniel and Endeavor trailed behind, gaining speed quickly, though not as fast as Epona. Parijan, driven with new purpose, led the charge. Link trusted that the woman knew where she was headed, and let Epona follow after Lanayru as they barreled out into the endless sands.

After a mile or so a chasing, Daniel bellowed, "Slow down, Parijan! You're going to wind our horses before we even get there!"

Parijan wheeled Lanayru around. The mare reared, thrashing sand as she turned. Parijan waited for the rest of them to keep up. As he caught up, Daniel said, "We know you're eager to save your brother, but it's no good if we're all dead."

"I don't think you know what we're about to go up against," Parijan replied. "Speed will be our only ally, I assure you."

"What's that?" Link inquired.

"Lanayru Desert, heart of these sands," Endeavor replied.

Parijan nodded. "They're right. This is my mare's namesake. It is the most dangerous region of this desert. I believe your fort with the same name sits somewhere along this part of the desert as well."

"Yeah, I can see the outline from here," Daniel stated, gazing out across the sands. Link followed and saw the walls of Fort Lanayru low on the horizon.

"Long before any of our times, this was the ocean on the other side of Hyrule," Parijan said. "It makes this place unpredictable and dangerous, even for the most experienced riders. It's widely avoided by any who value their safety."

Endeavor drew their cowl up a little further as the wind began to pick up. Link drew his own wind guard up over his nose. Endeavor observed, "There is a storm coming from within this place, a storm that has not been seen for countless years in a region like this. Zeal means to tear this place down to its foundations to stop us. Parijan is right to urge us hurry."

"Then we better get going," Daniel replied, some realization dawning on him. Though all four gave some apology to their horses as they turned back to aim for their destination

Parijan turned Lanayru in a circle last and rode on across the desert once more once they were ready again. Epona snorted, before matching the pace of the slender horse. Trusting his horse, Link watched the horizon. Clouds rolled far off in the distance, but if this was a magical storm, then those clouds would soon be moving in over them.

Kargarocs loomed overhead. They look more like vultures than the massive winged creatures that dwelled in Hyrule Fields or the brightly plumed ones that flew over Hylia Bay. Guays followed in their wake, searching the desert for prey.

Something moved out of the corner of Link's eye. He followed it for a moment in the corner of his eye, before he saw it in full. It looked like a short cactus, spinning rapidly towards them. Link pulled his bow off his back and nocked an arrow at the creature. His arrow connected with the front of the plant, sending it tumbling backwards, before disappearing into smoke.

"Don't waste your time on Levers, Link," Daniel stated, riding up alongside of Link. "They're too common. They won't be able to catch up with us the rate we're riding anyways."

The sand turned more into hardened red clay as they went on. Link scanned the horizon, looking for anything that might be getting close to them. He saw an opening in the valley walls south of them. He sent a glance at Endeavor. They answered the unasked question, "That is the entrance to the Scar. It is a forbidden land to all those who fight under Hyrule's banner."