New Home - BotW Link x Reader (Undergoing Revisions)

Chapter 46 - The Stranger and the Infiltration

If the Kara Kara Bazaar was beautiful (which it was, it was absolutely gorgeous), then even still it was far overshadowed by the overwhelming, breathtaking beauty of Gerudo Town. As I passed beneath its gate, I found myself taken aback by the views; the sweltering heat and the sweat lining my brow and the dry heat did little to dissuade me or my efforts to look around and take in the sights.

And god damn if it wasn't a magnificent view, any way you chose to look. It had bubbling, rushing aqueducts along the perimeter, bringing water wherever it was necessary; there was simple architecture and rather uniform layouts compared to, say, Rito Village, but there were adornments along the outer walls and strung across doors; and of course, there was no way I could forget the dazzling golden glow of the setting sun.

Everything here fit together perfectly, as though puzzle pieces, but the truth of the matter was that everything here was painstakingly handcrafted and well-maintained.

It seemed... magical, almost.

I wanted to sightsee, of course I did, and I wanted to act like little more than a common tourist. But that wouldn't be helpful, and I didn't want to return to Link empty-handed. I needed information, and the only way to do that was to do a little bit of digging and the only way to do that was to catch up with some of the locals.

...ok, I decided I could take a moment or two to sightsee.

Leaving the gate behind me, I wandered into the town, and along the main road I found myself in what I suspected to be the main square and hub of commerce and activity. Larger, permanent shops resided in the buildings lining the square while shaded booths and tables made a smaller perimeter within the square.

I walked along the shopfronts, gazing curiously at the goods and the services they were promising. That Gerudo woman sold trinkets and oddities procured from the desert sands; that one there offered love readings to hopeful passerby; that woman across the way was shouting out her own deals for hand sculpted bowls and dinnerware.

Everything looked incredibly artsy and to be crafted with care, and if I had more time and money, I'd spend plenty of both here. But I didn't. I passed through the shops, gliding through the bustling crowd that was buzzing with excitement and energy despite the heat of the day - though perhaps that added a certain level of adrenaline, a rush that they enjoyed as they made their bids for goods.

I left the marketplace behind and continued on along the main road. In alleyways there were panting dogs and individuals leaning against the walls to either side in purple hazes that smelled almost sickeningly sweet even from where I walked.

Food was left out to cool on windowsills under the awnings of homes and their aromas enticed little lizards to emerge that in turn were stalked by cats. Guardswomen walked the streets in pairs, increasing in frequency as I approached the heart of the town and found myself facing a stairwell leaning upwards - not to a grand palace per se, but to a building grander than any other to be found within the village itself.

This must be where the chief resides, I figured, wondering if I might be able to ask for council with her. Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't - but it couldn't hurt to try.

I walked to the nearest pair of guardswomen at the foot of the stairwell and, like before, they crossed their polearms to prevent me from passing.

"Pardon me," I said to one of them directly. "I don't mean to trespass. I just wanted to ask you a few things."

"Then speak, vai," said the guard I'd spoken to.

"The sandstorms," I began, getting right to the point. "Clearly, you've a hub of trade here. Does the sandstorm kicked up by the Divine Beast get in the way? Or do you have routes around it?"