The Archaeologist

Chapter 7

The shadows from the neighboring plateaus grew larger as the sun began to set. Hooves dug impatiently into the sand as puffs of exhalation exited the pig like snouts. In the front, the leader with fiery red hair held tightly onto the reins of his stead. The man's cloak flapped with the desert's wind. He slowly raised a single hand into the air. Once the sun's last sliver of light disappeared, his hand lowered. He bellowed a commanding shout and all charged forth.

Dust was kicked up from the stampeding army. All races gave a cry of desperate rage when they made their way through the life leeching desert. The lake they sought out grew closer and closer with each thunderous gallop.

Ahura stood in the saddle as she leaned forward. Her body moved harmoniously with her horse. The girl's cloak fluttered behind her just like the man's in front of her. She snapped the reins once more to urge the horse to keep up with the Gerudo king.

The king looked behind him to make sure his fellow soldiers were close. A small smirk graced his face and he felt a new determination fill him up.

The moon shined down on all of those that rode in the night. Their shadows were cast upon the fast moving desert rocks. The stars flickered as if they heard the cries from the soldiers. The stars lit the way to the nearing lake.

In two hours, the army had made it to the edge of the desert. The front row looked down at shimmering waters. Their eyes traced the receding waters on the bank to a campsite. Two Royal Guards remained alert with swords in hand. They patrolled the outskirts of the campsite, periodically checking in on each other.

"What the plan?" King Bulblin questioned in broken Hylian. His underlings shifted behind him, muttering quietly among themselves in their guttural language.

Ahura looked at Ganondorf out of the corner of her eye. She pet the side of her horse's neck to soothe it from making any sudden movements that could alarm the soldiers below. Her eyes went back out to the waters. Her blue hues widen out of shock.

Several forms were swimming in the water, nearing the campsite. Their heads broke the water's surface. Sharp spears and swords followed suit. Their eyes glowed a soft golden hue under the light of the campfire, stars, and moon.

"We will go around the perimeter, we cannot let them know we are here," Lord Ganondorf spoke, not aware of what was going on in the water below.

"In the—" Ahura tried, but was cut off.

"We will send most of us to the Lost Woods, others will keep an eye on the Royal Guard, and the rest will go to the Water Temple to free the Zora."

"The Zora are going to attack to the guard, Ganondorf!" Ahura spoke just loudly enough for Ganondorf to snap out of his thinking process.

He looked towards the water and instantly snapped his reins. The horse ran along the cliff and leaped to lower ledges. The rest of the army instantly followed suit. Ganondorf looked over his shoulder at Ahura and yelled, "Stay there!"

Ahura watched helplessly as the army rushed passed her. She had no weapon for which she could defend herself against the Royal Guard, or the Zoras should they decide to attack her as well. Her hands quivered on the reins. Suddenly, the ground beneath her collapsed from the tremors of galloping beasts.

The horse shrieked. She screamed. The water below was nearing faster. Ganondorf looked behind him towards the scream. His eyes widened. In an instant, he pulled back on the reins. His horse reared on its hind legs and charged towards where Ahura was falling and against the traffic of his army. A large splash rose from the water.

Ganondorf's horse stopped at the water's edge. Ganondorf quickly dismounted his steed and made his way towards the water. Once his boots hit the water he froze.

The salty water from the ocean came cascading down. Everything was flooding. He could barely keep an eye on the two children that sought to kill him. A light arrow struck him, paralyzing him. The master sword swung relentlessly at him. More water was coming. If he didn't finish this battle down and get to the Triforce he would drown.

"Out of my way!" a woman commanded and ran out into the water. Ganondorf snapped out of his mind and watched as the leader of the Sheikah furiously swam out towards the girl and the horse. The horse swam on its own, but the girl laid unconscious in the arms of the Sheikah. Impa quickly made it back to shore and carefully laid Ahura on the bank. The Hylian's chest moved steadily, she was simply unconscious. "Keep watch over her." Impa ran off back to the feuding armies.

Ganondorf watched as the Zora, Sheikah, and Bulblins fought the Royal Guard. Most of the guard was rendered unconscious, but some were slaughtered out of a desperate self-preservation. The king's attention went back to the unconscious girl. Quickly, the Gerudo King checked her for injuries. Upon finding none, he removed his cloak and shielded her body from the wind. Once the cloak was over her, he blindly began to remove her soaked clothes. If she wasn't out of them she'd risk hypothermia.

Once the clothes, besides her undergarments, were removed, Ganondorf observed his army once more. His army devastatingly outnumbered the Royal Guard. With the numerous advantage and element of surprise, the Royal Guard was defeated. The Bulblins and some of the Sheikah were tying the surviving guards while Impa spoke with the Zora warriors.
Ganondorf carefully picked up the Hylian and slowly made his way over to the destroyed campsite. The Zora watched him and instantly got into a defensive pose. Impa put her arm out in front of them and shook her head. Slowly, they relaxed ever so slightly.

"We need access to your temple," Ganondorf spoke without room for argument. "After we get what we need, we are leaving. You will come as well."

"Why should we follow you?" one of the braver Zoras questioned.

Ganondorf glared at him and stepped forward. The Zora gulped, but didn't back down. "If you do not follow me," Ganondorf started. "You will die."