Hero by Heart

Chapter 32

Link woke early like he always did, only to find the sky filled with dark grey clouds, threatening to split open in a downpour at any second.
     The night before it had been completely clear, with an endless amount of stars shining down on their little camp.
     Link hadn't felt comfortable sleeping in this dangerous place, and he wasn't alone in that, so they had set out a guard. When it had been his turn he had gazed up at the skies, marveling at the view and imagining what was out there, in the cold dark night.
     Now there was no sign left of those wonders. That was all obscured by thick rainclouds.
     Close to the desert as they were now, the temperature was already comfortable, despite the early hour.
     After a short breakfast they set out on the road, determined to cover as much ground as possible before it would really start raining.
     They had barely made it past the deserted monster camp and through the narrow passage just beyond, when the first drops splattered on the dusty ground.
     Link ignored it as best as he could. He would worry about the weather only if it turned dangerous. Being uncomfortable was not something that would hold him back. He did frown at the second deserted monster camp they passed, though.
     'Where do you think they went?' Laine asked, who was riding beside him today.
     'I don't know...' Link said, pondering the question himself. 'Maybe someone has killed them. They can't resurrect without Ganon. But I don't see why anyone would do that willingly. It's a big camp.'
     He looked at the large skull hewn out of rocks, but it looked dark and empty inside. Just as deserted as the watchposts outside.
     'Was it like this when you last came this way?' He asked Laine.
     She shook her head, her ponytail wagging along. 'They kept to themselves, but we saw plenty of them.'
     'Let's pick up a little more pace!' Merina called out from the front, before Link could speak. 'The valley here is wide and relatively flat for a while. Let's make use of it while we can.'
     The entire group sped up to a gallop, making it hard to have any kind of conversation.
     Link watched the surrounding lands as they passed, alert on any sign of danger. Apart from the very obvious lack of monsters, though, he saw nothing.
     They made good time now, until they finally slowed again when the canyon narrowed. One by one they filed through the gap between the cliffs, their gear clinking merrily.
     It was still raining lightly, but at this pace it was hardly enough to truly wet them. It fell to the rocks and dissipated nearly as quickly.
     With a booming crack a huge boulder suddenly crashed down just up ahead, shaking the ground. Chunks of rock split off and flew every which way, making them duck low in their saddles. Link stared at the road that had been perfectly passable a minute ago and was now partially blocked by a boulder bigger than a horse. He became deeply aware of how exposed and vulnerable they were at the bottom of this valley. They were completely at the mercy of nature's forces.
     Their pace dropped even further, as they now constantly glanced up to see if more deadly projectiles were coming.
     Just after passing underneath another great stone arch, the clouds finally burst. The sudden downpour was so thick and so fast that Link could not see the first of their group anymore. The sound was deafening, as the pattering of rain was echoed and magnified against the rocks on all sides, and the canyon had turned dark and grim. It all resulted in a threatening atmosphere that set him on edge.
     Small lamps offered little pinpoints in the gloom up ahead, but other than that he was basically blind. Link huddled deeper into his cloak, fighting the urge to cover his ears with his hands. He felt overwhelmed by the sheer force of it.
     Trusting on their horses and Merina as their guide the group slowly continued, their world reduced to no more than the road beneath them.
     Link didn't think it was possible to hear anything above the rainfall, but then another crack split the air, followed by a deep and ominous rumbling. The sound rolled around the valley, making it impossible to know where the danger was.
     He raised his shoulders to his ears, as if that would protect him from those boulders if they happened to fall onto him. He hated feeling like this. Helpless, with no clear enemy to fight.
Link searched for Zelda in the haze around him, but couldn't make out which of the cloaked, huddled figures she was.
     Merina then did a commendable job of making herself heard above the onslaught as she called out to dismount. She waved her arms to get their attention, before carefully guiding them through a narrow passage. There was rubble everywhere, with boulders and broken pieces of stone lying randomly across the path.
     Link guided Epona over the loose pebbles, making soft soothing sounds and picking his route with great care. Judging by the jagged edges of the rocks he passed, this was recent. He shuddered to think what would have happened if they'd been there moments earlier.
     Still, he was careful to stay calm and choose a safe passage for Epona. If there was a panic now, one of the horses would surely break a leg at the very least.
     After some tense minutes they all made it to the other side safely, where they were able to spread out and look each other in the eye again.
Zelda caught his eye but nodded firmly, telling him she was alright. She probably liked this even less than he did, but she was holding on. Despite it all, Link smiled to himself, proud of her unwavering commitment and bravery.
     It was still raining heavily, but at a signal from Merina the group sat down and rested for a bit. Link simply rested his head against the rocks, no longer caring about the water pouring down on him. If they made it through this valley, he would get his chance to dry.
Most likely, he'd be wishing for water before he knew it.
     Their break only lasted a few minutes. Long enough to catch their breath and calm their racing hearts, but not so long they would get cold, soaked as they were.
     Merina was again the one calling them back to their horses, leading the way into the sleets of rain.
     Not long after setting off they came across a large archway decorated with little carvings, followed by a second one a short distance further.
     'We're almost there!' Merina called over her shoulder. She spurred her horse on slightly faster, obviously eager to get out of the rain.
     They passed underneath a giant rockformation, before the beautiful sight of the Gerudo Canyon Stable doomed up out of the gloom.
     It instantly filled Link's heart with joy. It looked so warm and welcoming, nestled against the side of the canyon and spreading light from its many lamps and torches.
     Link quickly dismounted and led Epona to the stables. She had worked hard enough and deserved her rest. From here on she couldn't help him anymore. He brushed her off thoroughly, then offered her an apple.
     Zelda did the same beside him, dripping water onto the floorboards, but with a gentle smile on her lips.
     When they returned to the front, the Gerudo had returned their own horses to the Stable owner and the whole group went inside to dry and have a well-deserved meal.