Fan Fiction Friday: The Man Behind the Masks – Part 19

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“Are you feeling okay, Mr?” Nabooru shook me hard.

My wrists gave a twinge as I prised my aching fingers off the penny whistle. The air was still now, the magical energy gone.

“I just need a minute.” I felt as if I’d been run over by a herd of wild goats. Was this a side effect of the Song of Healing? “Ooofff!” Suddenly, I was assaulted by intense licking and sticky slobber. “Goodness, calm down, Kilton.”

The husky paid no attention to my plea. Overexcited, he spun around in circles, strong tail whacking my face. Then he spotted the neglected cucco bones and devoured them with a great appetite.

“My voe, why didn’t you tell me you were a sorcerer?” Kavia stared in awe at the remarkable transformation. “A mere mask maker, ha! You tease your vai.” She slapped me hard between the shoulder blades. “This will be very useful to the Gerudo.”

“Well, I only use it in emergencies really.”

“King Ganondorf will be pleased. The defeat of the Dark Sorcerers was an unfortunate blow. To have even one with such power in our ranks is a boon.”

But Nabooru stamped her foot. “Please don’t tell the king, Commander. He’ll make Mr Ronri do bad things.”

Mr Ronri now, is it?  I smiled. Still, she could be right about that. I need to find Yasei and get out of here.

“We do what we must, Nabooru. If you hope to be Commander one day, you can’t pick and choose which orders to follow. Your loyalty must be absolute,” Kavia said, but her voice sounded odd. She frowned at the windows and even glanced at the stable hand who was fussing over Kilton.

“He’ll make everyone in the world hate us. Someone has to stop him.”

Kavia seized the child by the ponytail and yanked her close. “Never say that out loud. Never.”

This silenced Nabooru. She scratched at the Commander’s grip, giving her a glare that would stop a Goron rolling in its tracks. “I know you don’t like him either.”

Despite the nails, the older Gerudo didn’t let go.  “I should report you to Vaba Kotake and Koume. They will punish you.”

I had no idea who Kotake and Koume were, but the little thief’s face drained of colour. “No, no, anything but them.”

Satisfied, Kavia released her captive and whispered, “Then be wise, little one and stay quiet.”

The other masks taken in the raid had been dumped in one of the empty stalls. Upon inspection, there didn’t seem to be any damage but I wondered why in Hyrule they ended up here? Did they intend to mount them for their archery practise? Regardless, arrangements were made to have them transferred to the Commander’s quarters. Much to my relief.

“Kavia, can he come with me?”

She burst out laughing. “Does that dog even know the word stay? I say no. He’s too much of his master’s spirit in him; however,” she tossed over a length of rope, “if you can tame the beast he may come.”

“Ah.”

It didn’t take long to fashion a leash of sorts. Yasei had taught me many years ago how to tie a decent knot. It was a necessity when building makeshift swings in the woods after all. As expected, Kilton took one look at the rope and growled. “I know you like to be free, but it’s only for a short while.” The growl upgraded to a snarl. And to think I saved you. A little gratitude would be nice.

I knelt down close to one furry ear. “Come on, I need your help to find Yasei.” These magic words worked better than dog biscuits. Finally, the husky stuck out his neck and remained still.

“I knew you could tame him. My voe, the dog whisperer.”

Yes, what a pretty pair we make with our collars and leads! I sighed.

I had seen a large gate from the balcony earlier. As I waved goodbye to Nabooru, Kavia made her way over to the impressive entryway and then gave a shout. Hidden pulleys squeaked, slowly revealing the desert beyond. I saw a haboob; a huge sand cloud that masked the dry dunes. The wind moaned in agony as it stirred up dancing devils, swirling and dragging their way across the parched landscape.

“Are we really going out in that?”

“Do you want to see your friend?” I scratched my head much to Kavia’s amusement. “Beyond the sands is the Desert Colossus, a temple to honour the great Sand Goddess. Our king is there also, you’ll meet him soon.”

I looked from the desert to the fortress and back again. “That’s… quite a distance.”

For once, she levelled with me. “Many lives were lost on both sides in the last war. Our enemies seek revenge on the great Ganondorf. Assassination attempts are common.”

“Ah, the Interloper War,” I muttered.

“So, those pointed ears are not just for show! You heard of this war?”

Not just heard about it, I was in it! Best not mention that to her though. “Bits and pieces,” I replied carefully. “King Hyrule held a festival in town for the soldiers.”

“Your king shouldn’t be so cocky. When he lets his guard down, we will strike back.”

I believed her, although personally, I would rather there be no striking back or war at all for that matter. But the Kingdom of Hyrule couldn’t help itself, it seemed to attract conflict. Peace would reign for a time, however, underneath the surface, new threats bubbled away ready to erupt across the land.

The commander strode forward, her feet sinking with each step. I made to join her but Kavia put her hand up. “Stay back, or be swallowed.”

Swallowed? In the sand storm I had nearly missed it, but then hissing came from below. My throat tightened. Waves of slithering sand moved like a long, golden snake. Anyone dragged into this sand river would most likely never rise again. As an anti-assassination device, Ganondorf was a genius.

Kavia scanned the skies. A shadow approached, moving at speed. The shadow remained untouched by the storm as if the winds were afraid to go near it.

“What in Hyrule?”

She shook her head. “Not what, who.”

I had always believed that brooms were meant for sweeping floors. This one, however, was flying. An elderly woman in black robes was perched upon the broom. As a stranger to these lands this was bizarre enough, but there were also flames coming out the back of her head. Real, roaring flames. I couldn’t help but wonder how the rest of her clothes had not been set alight!

“What have we here, Commander? The great Ganondorf has no need for more servants — or pets,” she cackled. “Hee, hee, hee.”  Her high-pitched laughter hurt my ears.

Kavia bowed low. “No, Vaba Koume, I’ve come to give my report. I must also speak with the king,” she glanced at me, “on a different matter.”

“So, I see…” The witch smiled a buck toothed grin. She hovered above us. Her bulging eyeballs far too big for their sockets. She reminded me of a popeyed goldfish. “You have stolen our commander’s heart, have you? The bloodline grows thinner with every Hylian interference, yet needs must I suppose.”

Of all the magical beings I had met, none had an aura quite like this. The Great Fairy had been a tickly sensation, the Interlopers a sharp jolt, Azamuku’s oppressive as humidity whilst the Light Spirits… Well, the Light Spirits were warm but terrifying. Koume had an aura that made my stomach queasy. I felt a headache coming on and a bitter taste that refused to be swallowed away. This happened to be only one of the sisters. I began to understand why Nabooru wanted nothing to do with them.

Koume flew ahead and poked one long bony finger into the shifting sand. She drew a curious circular pattern before slamming her palm into the middle. Red light fanned out stopping everything in motion.

“Follow me,” Kavia said, stepping forward without hesitation.

My grip on Kilton’s rope grew tighter, even the husky hadn’t moved. “You know, I think I’ll pass, take the long way around.”

“Vaba Koume’s magic is very powerful, but best not test it for too long, hmm?” She crossed her arms. “Or I can carry you and the beast across?”

Tempting as Kavia’s offer was, I had my pride to think of. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you all the same.”

The hiss of the waves and the roaring wind ceased. Only the warbling hum of Koume’s broomstick remained. Slipping across the crests and troughs frozen in time, every survival instinct screamed at me not to go any further. I squashed them down. No, I can’t turn back; this is the only way to find Yasei.

Passing the sand grains flung high in the air, it seemed sad that they hung there with nowhere to go. I had seen raindrops do the same once, in fact this entire spell was unnervingly familiar. I glanced behind me now and then, the heat playing tricks with my mind, making sure the sand stayed still. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. We reached the opposite bank safely. Although, seconds later, the witch clicked her fingers and the River of Sand crashed into life again making me jump.

Kilton barked and tugged at the rope, ready to explore the dunes ahead. I didn’t share his enthusiasm as I shook out my slippers. My forehead felt prickly and soaked with sweat.

“Tired, already?” Kavia offered some water from a bottle.

I drank greedily. “Just acclimatizing. The weather here is rather different from home.”

“My offer still stands.”

“I don’t need to be carried around.”

She smirked. “For now.”

We followed Koume into the heart of the dunes. Her long sleeves flapped about like a bat. For a woman in her more senior years, I watched in awe as she slalomed around more sign posts. Her gangly legs looked quite comical with dainty red shoes swinging to and fro between the tatty flags.

Kilton enjoyed the trek immensely and pulled me along with such gusto, that I had trouble keeping up. The heat had a nasty way of sucking up all my energy and I envied Kavia as it didn’t seem to affect her at all.

“How much further do we have to go? Not that I’m not complaining,” I said, even though I most certainly was, “any indication would be… Urk! Kilton!”

The husky stopped dead, nearly pulling my arm out the socket. He sniffed at the ground and started digging.

“This is hardly the time to look for bones.” I tugged at the leash only to be rewarded with flying sand in my face. I spat out the revolting grains. “Do you want to be left behind?”

Kilton had grown bored of his current digging spot and moved to another.

“I’m not going to be stranded in the desert with you.”  More sniffing and Koume flew further and further away. My throbbing legs cried out for rest but I resisted. If I do that, I’ll never get up again. “Come on. Wrath of Yasei or not, I will leave you here,” I promised him.

Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle…Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle…

I investigated one of the holes. It appeared to be moving.

Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle…Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle…

Yellow pincers emerged set atop a spinning green blob. I backed away, only to be slammed into from behind. A sharp pain shot up my leg.

“Kilton, run!”

Instead, the husky sank his teeth into one of the creatures and mauled it. Reinforcements soon appeared and surrounded us both. I dodged another attacker as it spun towards me but it didn’t take long to return. Stomping on the green blobs made them submerge to pop up again in a different place. Playing tag-team, they continued their assault no matter which direction we turned.

“What in Ganon are they?”

“Leevers,” Kavia muttered in disgust.

Without warning, she shoved me out the way. With her scimitar let loose; she hacked and sliced at the monsters. Their beheaded corpses spinning away in a puff of purple smoke.

When the tell-tale shuffling had stopped, Kavia swiped her sword at the air, shaking off blood. “You’re not the easiest voe to keep alive.” She ran slender fingers through her hair.

“Yes, well.” I rubbed my hands together. “Thank you for the help… again.”

“We’re finally here.”

“Here?”

She pointed dead ahead. “ Welcome to the Desert Colossus.”

 

Featured art: Alison Brunyee via Canva.com

Alison Brunyee (Otwl) is an Original Content Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time, but she is currently battling through A Link to the Past. For a bit of escapism during this tough time, check out more fan fiction from her alter writing ego – Otwl. Stay safe x