Hero by Heart

Chapter 38

Buliara never did any effort to hide the fact that she was carrying a captive over her shoulder like a bag of sand. So when she and Link walked through town everybody stopped their business to gawk at them.
     Link followed the Gerudo across the training grounds of the warriors and up the stairs directly into Riju's throne room, which proved to be deserted safe for the two guards on the stairs.
     Both of them were staring at the unconscious man with big eyes, but they knew better than to ask. Instead they both pointed to the stairs at the other side of the room when Buliara asked for the Chief.
     She and Link stepped outside, where a canopy stood offering shade to a second sort of throne, this one occupied by the young Gerudo.
     Riju looked up at them, and Link had to give it to her, she never showed any surprise.
     'You're back sooner than I expected,' she stated, standing up from her chair.
     Buliara bowed her head and dropped the man on the floor. 'We took a shortcut, you could say.'
     'And you brought a guest,' Riju exclaimed, sounding as delighted as if he was really someone to join their dinner party.
     Link chuckled, standing behind Buliara to let her do the talking.
     Riju now looked at him though, smiling broadly. 'I knew you could do it. You never fail to amaze, Link.'
     To his surprise she made a great flurry of movements, as she gracefully bowed in front of him, her hand on her heart.
     'I thank you from the deepest of my being,' she stated officially. 'Once again we are in your debt.'
     Link did not know where to look or what to do, as Riju now stood up straight again, her usual innocent grin on her face.
     Buliara looked at him over her shoulder and sniggered at his face.
     'Now, now, Riju,' she then said, 'we aren't there yet. We know nothing of this person and maybe we never will. The time for praising will come later.'
     The Chief nodded, looking down at their captive. 'So you haven't questioned him yet?'
     Link shook his head. 'I knocked him unconscious before he even saw me. There was no chance.'
     Again Riju nodded, frowning thoughtfully. 'So he doesn't know what happened or who took him. We could use that.'
     'He will know as soon as he wakes up, though,' Buliara countered.
     'Not if we move him,' Riju grinned.

After Riju explained her plan, Link and Buliara once again dragged the man out of town and placed him on one of the special carriages for sand seals.
     As the Captain took the reins, Link and Riju each got their own seals ready, the Chief using her beloved Patricia.
     Link smiled at how they interacted, reminding him a lot of Zelda and her horse.
     They had the same way of patting their animal's head with a loving smile, whispering softly in their ear.
     Before Link could get too distracted, though, Buliara slapped the reins and she sped off, quickly followed by Riju, and Link hurried after them a second later.
     The sun had already set and the desert had quickly turned dark, as the first stars appeared overhead.
     The temperature was comfortable right now, giving them a short period of relief before the cold settled in.
     Luckily, their ride wasn't long and they quickly reached their destination.
     Buliara dragged the stranger inside the small building, while Link took a look around in search of possible dangers lurking.
     The lookout post was simply a large, bare rock in the middle of the desert, which the Gerudo had turned into a small room to offer some shelter.
     The wooden platform that stuck out high above the ground offered a good view in all directions, but it was hardly ever used anymore.
     When Link felt assured that there was nothing that might attack them, he followed the two Gerudo through the wooden door.
     The small room was lit by a single lamp, casting more shadows than light. It was deserted, with the shutters closed against the harsh climate of the desert.
     Still little piles of sand and dust lay scattered around the room, blown in by the wind.
     Buliara and Riju were busy clearing out some stuff, creating a dreary, dark atmosphere around them. All signs pointing to the Gerudo were erased, which barely left anything at all.
     In the meantime Link took a closer look at their guest, now lying motionlessly on the single bed. It worried him a little that the guy had still not shown any sign of waking up, considering how long he was out already. Maybe all the jostling through the desert sands had been too much for him.
     Since Link never found any bag or personal belongings, he now carefully searched his clothes. Still he came up emptyhanded, safe for a small knife hidden in his boot.
     For the first time he took away the hood and mask, revealing the face underneath.
     It was a young man with brown hair and a slight stubble on his chin. Despite his youth and open face, it was clear that he had seen battle before, judging by the scar running through his left eyebrow and another over the cheekbone underneath.
     Buliara, who had finished throwing out all unnecessary items, came to stand beside him, looking down at the stranger thoughtfully.
     'Shouldn't we tie him up or something?' She asked.
     Link nodded slowly, equally as thoughtful. 'I don't know, he might never open his mouth if he thinks we are the enemy.'
     Riju came to join them and for a while they all stood pondering over the limpless body on the bed, wondering what to do now.