Gerudo Forest

Chapter 49

Melissa thought she had made some progress today hitting the targets quite a few times but as Kona had pointed out there had been no wind. Kona could be a kill joy sometimes and let Melissa go early due to what she called a lack of challenge.  

Making it back to her room she snatched what she needed. It took a little searching but she found some ink, a quill, and a few blank pages of paper hidden away in her bed side dresser. Also not knowing if they would be heading straight to the market she grabbed what was left of her rupees and stuffed everything in a satchel. 

Kona had told her that his sparing room was past the audience chamber down a corridor to the right but failed to mention how long it would take to get there. Several times she contemplated turning around to see if she missed a door or opening. It would be quite easy to miss something because the hall was completely dark. This was definitely out of the way but she guessed it was to detour people other than him from wanting to use it.  

Eventually she found the door she was looking for. The only sign of it's presence was a faint sliver of light near the ground. As she got closer she could hear the clang of steal against steal and wondered if he was practicing with a partner. But who would be brave enough to spar with him?  

Placing her torch on an empty slot in the wall she twisted the door handle. Only one of the two fighters stopped to stare at her. Ganon had known she was coming and wasn't even distracted by her entrance. Nabooro on the other hand had lost focus and was panting out of breath. Ganon took the advantage and knocked the sage's legs out from under her causing Nabooro to land on her backside with a thud. She gave him a look of pure malice to which Ganon returned with a cocky smile. 

"Uh... did I interrupt something?" Melissa asked worriedly. 

After a second Nabooro caught her breath and got back to her feet. 

"No I was just about to leave." Nabooro responded throwing her practice swords angrily to the ground before storming out. 

Had the sage gotten into an argument with him? 

Ganon stood looking in the direction of the door a look of seriousness crossing his face. "Nabooro told me she talked with you this morning and was babbling some nonsense about me letting you go." He paused for a moment before turning to face her. "You would tell me if there was something wrong wouldn't you?"  

"Of course I would." Melissa said guiltily looking away.  

Ganon frowned seeing right through her. He knew she had been keeping things to herself more but said nothing, going back to his practice. He looked deep in thought as he gracefully slashed at the target dummies that stood around the room. 

She felt inspired watching him. It almost looked as if he was performing a dance and she smiled pulling out her paper and quill beginning a quick sketches of him. They never turned out like she wanted so she would start over. After a while she stopped tired of wasting paper and just watched him. He was well practiced with the sword and she wondered who had taught him.  

After a while he stopped and grabbed a towel to wipe off sweat that beaded his skin. He must be done for now. 

"So what were you doing?" he asked eying her pile of crumpled up paper. 

"Just doodling." She responded starting to pick up her mess.  

She didn't really like people looking at her stuff but he snatched and opened one of the papers before she could even protest. 

"Is this how you see me?" he asked amused holding the one page she really hadn't wanted him to see.  

She had taken some artistic liberties here and there. Drawing him at rest, he reclined back in his robes which were slightly open revealing his chest. His hair draped over his shoulders and she had given him that peaceful look she always loved when he slept. Some might call it fan girl vision and Melissa blushed looking away embarrassed.