Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 23

Link found himself walking through the city keeping an eye out for the princess' blonde head of hair. There was a likely chance she was with Urbosa at the palace-like place but he was going to check their last.

"Hey!" Someone whispered harshly. Link swiveled around to see a young woman who looked about the same age as Link. She beckoned for him to come over and after looking around Link shrugged. When he got there the woman grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, closing the door behind her. The gerudo had pulled Link into a dimly lit room which had some strange fog. "What are you doing just walking around?" She asked her tone no longer hushed. Link opened his mouth to say something when another Gerudo, this one way older, stuck her head around the corner.

"Muava, is everything alright?"

The young woman that had grabbed Link looked over her shoulder. "Everything is fine, Vaba. I just found a voe snooping around town." Link's eyes widened and the older woman cackled.

"A voe? Like a voe would be able to get in."

"No, Vaba, this one is definitely a voe." Link watched the older Gerudo walk over to them and she moved the one called Muava out of the way. She then looked Link in the eyes before grabbing the thing covering the lower half of his face and tugging it off. Link was filled with worry but to his surprise the older woman laughed.

"Would you look at that," She grabbed at Link's face and started moving his head looking at different angles, "one finally managed to sneak in. Do you have a name, boy?"

Link swallowed hard and Muava giggled. "Look how scared he looks, Vaba."

Link managed to find his voice. "My- my name is Link."

"Well, Link, what are you doing snooping around Gerudo town?"

"I'm looking for Princess Zelda, I'm her guard."

The older woman cackled again and released Link's face. Muava crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes playfully. "Sure you are."

Link held up his hands. "I am, I swear. If you don't believe me, ask Lady Urbosa."

"Lady Urbosa? Well, if you are throwing her name into this then I guess we can trust who you are." Muava put her face close to Link's and he could feel her warm breath.

The older woman pulled Muava away and smiled a kind smile at Link before extending her hand. "I'm Naaru and this is my granddaughter Muava. We own this place, it's a retreat where anyone can be whoever they really are. Everyone is welcome, even voe. That is, if they can get in if you know what I'm saying." Link nodded at them and Naaru chuckled. "You look adorable dressed in those via clothes. You are the first voe who has thought of doing something like this. Most are unable to swallow their pride."

"I'll do what's necessary to keep Princess Zelda safe." Both Gerudo nodded in approval.

"Such a gentleman. You would be perfect for Muava."

Muava blushed furiously and hid her face. "Vaba," she groaned into her hands. Naaru laughed heartily before patting her daughter on the back.

"I've got to go back to the desk. Have fun talking, you two." Nauru turned and walked deeper into the shop. Muava looked up, her blushing not as visible anymore.

"I apologize for Vaba, she says that about every voe she meets. Anyway, if you're looking for Princess Zelda then you won't find her here. Not too long before I saw you I watched her leave town with Lady Urbosa. I'm not sure where they were going but they were leaving town."

Link nodded. She was probably going out with Urbosa on that survey she had mentioned. "I should probably go and find out where they are."

"Don't forget to cover your face," She said with a wink. "Come visit again soon." Link covered his face before giving a goodbye and stepping back out on the streets. That's when it dawned on Link that if Zelda and Urbosa had left for a survey he wouldn't know where they were. A door opened and closed behind him and he turned to see Muava leaving the shop. "I would have thought you would have left by now."