While I Waited

The Canyon

Leaving was not simply a matter of a map, though.  From the bar, I headed for the west side of the city, where I could already hear the roar of a thousand Gerudo cheering on their bets.  

"Come just in time for the 5th Heat," the doorwoman told me, "Flight is a favorite today, though Barre looked hot coming out the gate - I'll give you two for one on her, since you look so fine."  The woman wore a miniature table strapped to her, with a one-way strongbox and stamps for recording bets.  

I waved her off, steering out of the main line and toward the side of the arena, under the stands, where the horses were stabled.  The thick adobe kept the noise and heat out, but the stink was enough to make me gag.

"Regretting your bet?" asked a stablewoman, the bells on her waist jingling faintly as she sauntered up.  "There's a buyback program rolling out - you can save some of your losses."

I recovered myself, trying to imitate Impa's manner.  "I need a horse. Nothing fast, just something to get me through the Canyon and back."

"The Canyon?" the stablewoman said, raising an eyebrow.  She blatantly ran her eyes over me.  "Anyone else on the ride?"

"I can take care of myself," I said, and regretted the childishness the instant it was out of my mouth.  Before the stablewoman could laugh, I yanked out my old palace earpiece.  "Solid gold, Hylian work.  Collateral for my return with your horse."

The stablewoman forgot all about the Canyon as she inspected the piece.  "Not just Hylian - this has the royal crest on it."

I shrugged, walking past her to the stalls.  I picked the smallest I could find - the Gerudo seemed to breed the beasts for their own monstrous height.

___

Saddled, I escaped much of the "Where's your tiha from my earlier trip through the city, but, just my luck, Bhash had the evening west gate duty.

"Beautiful horse!" she cried.  "I'm off in an hour; we can test her against Wind!"

I shook my head.  The Gerudo and their horse races.  

"Where are you going?"

I waited until I was past Bhash's duty post before looking over my shoulder.  Jakaar was a mound of bleached bone in the twilight.  " 'Do not follow me,' " I said.  

____

About halfway through the canyon, I found a natural cave in the sidewall, with a nice tree growing in the front.  The moon was high and bright, and I decided to rest a while.

After tying my horse down, I explored the cave.  It was about as big as the hut Impa and I shared, with as many furnishings and a veritable arsenal of weapons.  Not so surprising:  the Western bandits - desert voe as the Gerudo called them - had long used the Canyon for hideouts and ambushes.  That is, up until...

I settled in, ate my jerky, and sipped my last water for the day.  I would need to hunt a Leever soon, probably tomorrow.  But for tonight, my main concerns were safety and rest.

I allowed myself a small smile.  I might not be as tall or fierce as those Gerudo, but I could handle myself for a night in the canyon.  I went out to the entrance of my cave and drew a line in the dirt with my boot, and a similar line above the cave mouth with my right index finger.  I closed my eyes, but I knew the back of my hand glowed gold.  

When I opened my eyes, the cave mouth was a wall of blue crystal.  Smile grown to a grin, I stepped confidently through it and into the cave, straight to my bedroll.  Nayru's Love had a funny name, but it was my favorite spell.  No one was getting through that cave mouth but me.

I pulled my blanket up to my chest and glanced down at my right hand.  If only the Gerudo knew what power rested in that hand.  And that even so far from the source of my power...

But the thought of Hyrule made the warmth in my chest turn to ice.  For a moment, I felt the wind again in my ears, pushing me back toward a castle in flames, back toward the fate I deserved.

"Never again," I told the dark, as I had each night for the past five years.

I turned over, putting my back to the faint blue glow of my spell.  Was this a violation of my oath?  Would I reach the end of the trail and find I led enemies right to her?  Would she burn for my crimes, too?

The night seemed suddenly colder.  I pulled the blanket close, trying not to think of anything at all.