Chapter 38- Ice and Fire
Picture credits: Picture Credits: https://vando.artstation.com/projects/W3mNX
After days of travelling west towards the Gerudo Mountains, Hyrule's fertile hills gave way to an endless plain of dry, cracked earth. The small hills that dotted the waste resembled ancient cairns that could have belonged to some long-forgotten race, lost in a clash between mortals and the divine. Before long, a spine of tall brown mountains that resembled pale clay beneath a scorching sun rose in the west. They dwarfed the western landscape, which became drier and hotter with each passing day. Small bodies of water dotted the mountain foothills, and Aveil's procession marched between them, threading its way through a pass that would lead them home.
The evenings brought brief relief from the heat before the night plunged them into biting cold. Link trudged amidst a crush of horses, carts, and veiled Gerudo. During the long march, flies seemed to emerge from nowhere, and the hideous, unwashed smell of the Blins permeated the air. Neither the Bulblins nor Moblins seemed to care much for bathing or personal hygiene, and the near-suffocating heat on this side of the mountains made it all the worse.
"Rarely do they march in the heat of the day," Sheik had observed as Link stirred and watched the chaotic activity of an army preparing to move. Kokiri and their fairies rushed past on errands, none stopping to stare for fear of punishment. Sheik glanced at the guards, who seemed to be in no hurry to stop them from talking. "Usually, they move between known settlements where they can replenish their water... but there is an urgency in their movement. I suspect we are being pursued."
Link glanced back at the darkness beyond the camp as he and Sheik were marched out of the tent, the cold air prickling his skin. There was nothing to be seen in the gloom, nothing but the silhouette of tall peaks against a star-studded sky.
And then they were on the move again, the guards stepping forward and prodding them towards the quickly assembling column. Not for the first time, Link wondered whether he might escape, but he knew there would be no navigating the terrain at night, and it wasn't for fear of plunging into some deep ravine. For all that people spoke of the darkness before dawn, it was the cold that truly bothered Link.
Besides, escape was impossible. He remembered Aveil's warning all too well and knew the consequences should he even try.
The sight of the Kokiri working tirelessly under the watchful eyes of their captors stirred Link's determination. He had to find a way to the Spirit Temple - but how could he, when every step forward seemed to tighten the chains that bound him, bringing him ever closer to the place Aveil's people called home?
"Why aren't they taking us to Ganondorf's tower?" he asked Sheik at one point as the Gerudo stopped to make camp, ushering the prisoners into their assigned tent.
"I suspect they are cut off, or else they would have," Sheik replied quietly, sitting back against the tent pole she was tied to. "Try and rest."
Easy enough for you, Link thought. She seemed to be relatively unbothered by the march or the unpleasant gruel they ate each morning. He was quite convinced she hadn't broken a sweat the entire time, even in the heat of the day.
With nothing else for it, he followed Sheik's lead and let himself sink back against his pole, wincing at the tight restraints.
The final stretch into the Gerudo Valley took them across a canyon seemingly chiselled into the rugged ridges marking the border of the Gerudo kingdom. A single stone bridge spanned the breadth of the chasm, flanked by cliffs that plunged into the river below. Two enormous gatehouses stood at either end of the bridge, their watchtowers rising above them like sentinels.
Finally, they arrived at the Gerudo Fortress. It was a small city perched on a bluff, overlooking a wide river that threaded its way through the desert and into the grasslands. Groves of palm and olive clung in loose clumps along the banks, and farmers worked the narrow expanse of fields growing along the river's shore. Link could see the canals that fed the sparse scattering of arable land. Had he not been a prisoner, Link might have marvelled that anything could grow at all in such a harsh climate. Many of the fields were now abandoned, and the small smattering of trees along the riverbank had wilted, their leaves shrivelled and dying. Left to ponder, Link might have concluded that the Gerudo's water supply was cursed or poisoned, but it was Sheik who guessed this first.
There was no time for Link to consider the significance of this, for the city loomed large on the opposite shore. Buildings with broad blue and white domes peeked over the battlements and towers that watched over the surrounding countryside. The light of the setting sun brushed against the walls of the fortress, turning them a brilliant hue of gold and red.
At another time, the grand facades and the tall towers standing high above the walls would have awed Link. The city's wide gates provided an entryway into a maze of courtyards where the walls and pillars were all stencilled with a mesmerising display of flowers and plants - from blue tulips to cypress trees.
Link was not given time to admire the city, nor was he able to get more than a glimpse of the people. Both he and Sheik were marched towards a building near the centre of the fortress, drawing a crowd the further along the streets they went. Many of the people were wearing khalats - loose, long-sleeved robes of mostly blue or purple. Only the Gerudo guards wore veils, gripping their trademark halberds tightly as they surveyed the restless throng.
Link guessed that not all the city's populace were Gerudo, for he spotted both men and children in the crowded streets. Their skin was darker than the Gerudo's, and their accents were thicker. The one thing they did have in common was that they all stared at Sheik, their looks ranging from curious to hostile. Several members of the crowd even went wild, cursing and yelling insults.
Aveil reacted quickly, ordering her guards to keep the onlookers back.
"Damn it," Aveil cursed. "Jameela was supposed to keep these people back. All of you, move!"
The guards formed a tight wall around their prisoners, doubling their pace. Several loud arguments had broken out in Gerudic between the guards and onlookers, resulting in several people being forcibly shoved back.
Sheik appeared oblivious to the disturbance she was causing, even as they were marched through a set of doors on one side of yet another courtyard. It was either that or she was trying very hard to maintain a stoic composure. Aveil's party retreated from the square, swept quickly through a gate by their entourage.
Beyond the gate lay the fortress proper. Aveil led the way from the gatehouse and into a vast courtyard adorned with a white pavilion at one end. Within the shade of this structure, atop a platform, stood an empty throne. Link didn't get time to look closely at it as he was ushered through a blur of corridors and rooms. Though he tried to make a mental note of the route, he soon lost track of where they were going. Dizzy and lightheaded, he kept stumbling, only to be pushed onwards by his guards.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the cells. Unlike the stifling heat above, the dungeons were cold and stank of excrement.
The cell door creaked open. Link was thrust inside, and it clanged shut behind him. Now that he was here, Link felt strangely relieved; he wouldn't be forced to march anymore. For a brief instant, old instincts stirred, and he scanned his surroundings with a critical eye, just as the guards steered Sheik into the neighbouring cell.
His tiny prison was almost empty, the furnishings sparse. A pallet of straw had been arranged against one wall with a blanket on top of it. A bucket stood nearby, and it reeked from being poorly cleaned.
Ignoring the smell as best he could, and weary to the bone, Link sank onto the straw, draping the blanket over himself. It wasn't comfortable, even for someone who was more than happy to sleep in a stable, and to his dismay, the blanket was flea-ridden, forcing him to abandon it.
Only a single torch lit his gloomy cell, hung in a sconce just beyond the door. As he lay there, trying to sink into sleep, Link thought he felt Sheik's gaze on him, but he felt too tired for conversation.
Despite his fatigue, sleep eluded Link. He was far too worried about his present circumstances to sleep well, and he was bitten by hungry insects in at least a dozen places. He wondered what had become of Halvard. What about Navi? The mask salesman hadn't appeared since their conversation. Given how creepy he was, Link was surprised to find himself longing for the man to return. Navi, on the other hand, had been taken to where the rest of the Kokiri fairies were being kept. Aveil assured him she was safe, but Link wasn't sure that he trusted her.
At least she is with her own kind, Link thought vaguely. That thought didn't comfort him, especially when he realised why he and Navi had been separated. If he tried to resist, the Gerudo or the witches could harm her, and they knew he wouldn't allow that to happen.
Too tired to think any further, Link lay back against the straw. His thoughts became increasingly disjointed and confused from lack of sleep. Hunger gnawed at him, and he was uncomfortably aware of how dry his mouth was. Despite this, he fell into an uneasy slumber.
~ 0 ~
Hours later, the guards changed the torch and brought him bread and broth. The broth was unappetising, but at least it eased his maddening thirst. The Gerudo didn't offer him a word, nor did he think it was wise to ask for Aveil. If they formed a connection between him and any kind of plot, he would undoubtedly find himself in more trouble than he was in already.
Link lost track of time. The guards changed, and he was given the same food over and over. Sheik didn't leave him to idle with his thoughts. In fact, when he wasn't sleeping or meditating, she would make him work through a rigorous routine of physical exercises that left him aching, exhausted, and all the more aware of his near-constant hunger. The guards sometimes watched in what Link hoped was just idle curiosity.
After what must have been a few days, Link waited for some sign of Halvard or news from outside. After yet another session of Sheik's meditation, he lay back on his pallet, wishing he could distract himself from his thoughts. The silence made it impossible. Were the Sages and Impa trying to rescue him? Would Halvard keep his word and come to their aid? That was assuming he wasn't totally mad, as Navi suspected, or in league with Ganondorf.
Link did not remember falling back to sleep once more, but it wasn't restful.
"Wake up."
Somewhere through the sleepy haze of his thoughts, Courage stirred inside of him. Link could see the familiar eye of that Golden Wolf, staring at him, irritated.
"Can you move?" the spirit asked, almost sounding concerned. "I've been trying to reach you, but you shut me out again."
"I'm sorry," Link said, confused. What did it mean by being shut out?
"No matter," came the reply. "For now, you need to focus on escaping. The river might be the easiest way."
"I haven't seen a way out," Link thought, his thoughts a haze.
"Have you thought about it?" the spirit answered. "I wasn't sure, what with all the moping you were doing earlier."
Link felt a rush of indignation. "I wasn't moping."
"It looked like moping to me," the wolf replied. "Never mind... I can sense someone coming. It's time to wake up... She was right. You are a lazy one."
There was a sensation of amusement from the strange entity, and Link was left confused.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.
The enigmatic spirit's presence faded, and Link found himself jerking awake with a jolt.
"Link?"
It was Sheik. She was staring at him, her face barely visible in the faint light.
"Are you all right?" she asked. "You were talking in your sleep."
"I..." Link wasn't sure how to explain that he was having a conversation with some entity in his head. There was no way to explain a voice in his head without sounding completely mad, even by Hyrule's standards.
He tried to relax and offered her a tired smile. "I'm fine."
Footsteps drummed against the stone, and all thoughts of explaining himself to Sheik were quickly abandoned. A door creaked on old hinges, and Link jerked upright as someone stepped into the doorway of his cell.
A Gerudo stood in the doorway, looking down at him with her arms folded. Disapproval was written across her face as she appraised him and then turned to the guards.
"I do love what our dear king has done with this place," she said, her voice rich with sarcasm. The two other guards glanced at her warily.
"Don't look at me like that," she rebuked them.
Link blinked a few times, shaking off his stupor, and then realised the woman standing in front of him was Aveil.
"Sleep well?" she asked casually, flashing him a small smile.
"Well enough," Sheik replied flatly.
Before Link or Sheik could say anything more, an annoying and familiar chuckle caught their attention. Aveil scowled, gritting her teeth, and then spun around to face the newcomer.
"It's about time you showed up!" she snapped. "What took you so long?"
What is going on? Link wondered, still dazed.
"Escape. Now is your chance."
Link shook his head, clutching at his forehead, aware of the strange voice in his mind again. He quickly regained his composure, sure that nobody had noticed his brief lapse in concentration, or if they did, they didn't voice it.
"I had to make sure I wasn't seen," Halvard said calmly. He looked to her two guards, then back at her, his sinister smile gone as he gave her a questioning look.
"They're fine," Aveil said with a wave of her hand. "I made sure the guards on duty were loyal to me."
Link pulled himself to his feet. He had to use the cell bars for support, his legs wobbling in a moment of dizziness. "What... What's going on?" That was when he noticed that Navi wasn't with Aveil or Halvard. His mind was so sluggish that he hadn't realised she was missing. "Where's Navi?" he demanded.
"Are you always so full of questions, boy?" Halvard asked pleasantly.
"Just tell me where she is," Link demanded, wanting nothing to do with the man's eccentricities. Aveil said something to one of her guards, who came forward with a small goblet and pushed it into Link's hands. In the neighbouring cell, the other guard unlocked Sheik's door and handed her a second goblet.
"It's a potion," Aveil explained. "It will help clear your head."
Link stared at the goblet, grimacing as he recognised the smell of a healing potion.
"Staring at it won't make it taste nicer," Aveil told him, almost sounding sympathetic. "It's quite safe."
Link nodded and downed the potion, shuddering and nearly retching as he did so. He wondered vaguely how Ingo had ever managed to convince a horse to eat feed contaminated with the stuff.
As his head began to feel less like it had been filled with a horde of angrily buzzing hornets, Link passed the goblet back to the guard with a murmured thanks.
"Where is Navi?" he asked again.
Halvard pulled a pouch from his robes; the small bag bulged as something inside it moved.
Navi.
It seemed cruel and undignified, even if it was necessary.
"Why have you put her in there?" he asked angrily, wanting nothing more than for Halvard to release her.
"You do realise a fairy flying around will attract far too much attention?" Halvard asked mildly. "Don't worry, she is perfectly safe. As it happens, I suggested a bottle might be more comfortable, but she insisted on this pouch. An odd choice to be sure, but she did threaten me with certain death if I bottled her, though I am puzzled as to how she intended to carry that out."
"Hurry up, we need to get these two out of here quickly," Aveil said, cutting short any further conversation. Sheik joined them, accompanied by the second guard.
Aveil looked towards her. "Ready?" she asked.
"A moment, Aveil," Halvard said wearily, as though the Gerudo's impatience was really annoying him. He reached into another pocket of his robe, pulling two objects out and displaying them in his hand. The first was a violet medallion, which Link recognised instantly. The second was a white stone engraved with a weeping eye.
Sheik's eyes went wide when she saw the medallion. "Where did you get that?" she demanded. "Who gave it to you?"
"Impa was kind enough to lend it to me," Halvard said calmly. "She is alive. She said you would know how to use this. I trust you do, don't you?"
"Impa saved it for emergencies," Sheik said, almost snatching the medallion out of Halvard's hand as he passed it to her. When he proffered the white stone next, Link stared at it blankly.
"Then I think this qualifies." Halvard cleared his throat and held out the white stone, allowing Link to look closer at the markings on its surface. "This is a portal stone," he explained. "A most marvellous invention."
"A most annoying invention," Aveil muttered. When Halvard looked sideways at her, she returned the gesture with a level glare. "If you're done posturing," she went on, "I'd like to survive the night."
"Of course." Halvard returned his attention to Link. "I had to make sure I cast the spell on the other side of the river, away from the Gerudo. Some are still not loyal to Aveil and would undoubtedly come after us."
"That means we need to be close to the river," Sheik pointed out, her gaze fixed on the portal stone. "Otherwise, the stone won't work."
"I was coming to that," Halvard said, slipping the white stone into his robes. There was a strange mirth creeping into his voice that set Link's teeth on edge. It wasn't the only thing putting him on edge.
There was a glaring problem with Halvard's plan. Even if Sheik could use Impa's medallion to turn invisible, he stood out like a lone Goron in a market square.
"How am I going to get out of here?" he asked. "The Gerudo aren't just going to stand around while I try to escape or retrieve my equipment. I don't see many Gerudo dressed in green."
"With a sock for a hat," Aveil added, a tiny smile curving the edges of her mouth.
"Have a little faith, boy," Halvard said. "I've already thought of that."
"And everything else?" Link added with slight annoyance.
"Naturally," Halvard replied, appearing not to care for Link's irritation, "and it is quite an audacious plan at that."
Aveil's smile broadened. Link stared at her. He didn't have a clue what was so funny.
Halvard, who seemed to have a talent for stuffing all sorts of things in his robe, was now holding another mask in his other hand. Link hadn't noticed it before, but as Halvard held it up so that it caught the torchlight, Link saw it was fashioned in the exact likeness of a Gerudo's face, complete with the gem on its forehead.
"How is that supposed to help?" Link asked, feeling more than a little perplexed.
"Oh. This is grand," a voice whispered in his head. If Link didn't know any better, he would have sworn that Courage was amused. He didn't see how that was possible for an incorporeal being. "I can see it already."
Link tried to block the spirit out, and as he did so, his hand itched. He resisted the temptation to scratch it.
"It is a mask of illusion," Halvard explained. "Those who see you, except for a Sheikah, will see you as a Gerudo woman."
"You mean it will turn me into a..." Link began, his face going pale with horror. Somewhere in his head, he could sense a lingering presence, and its amusement wasn't lost on him. "Wait... No, we are not doing that."
"It could be worse," Courage offered. "You could be stuck in it."
Ignoring that voice again, Link stared at the mask, almost grimacing.
Aveil snorted, rolling her eyes. "Ah," she said in an undertone, "The joys of arguing with a youth."
"It doesn't quite work like that," Halvard said slowly, ignoring Aveil. "True, some masks can turn you into something else entirely, but they usually require dark magic to make... Exceptionally dark magic-"
"Perhaps you can explain that at another time?" Sheik suggested quickly, before turning to Link. "If you are concerned... about embarrassing yourself, I won't notice any difference."
Well, I guess that counts for something, Link thought.
"We need to hurry," Aveil interrupted his thoughts.
"Of course," Halvard replied with a small bow. "First, we will need to retrieve Link's equipment. Aveil and I took the liberty of hiding it in the stables... with some help, of course. We should head there first."
"You realise the witches will see right through this mask?" Link said as he took it in his hands.
"You think I haven't thought of that?" Aveil asked with an irritated sigh. "Koume and Kotake believe they were summoned to the temple. We will be long gone before they get back or think to look for us. There is one other thing, however. The Mithirans are heading towards the fortress using a flotilla of barges. My lieutenants believe they will attack tonight to rescue the sorcerers we have kept prisoner. I plan to be out of here before that happens. Once the attack begins, I'll be expected to lead the defence. If I disappear then, everyone will notice."
"There are other prisoners?" Link asked. "Can they help us?"
"No, and they are likely in no state to escape easily," Aveil said with a faint grimace. "We will have to leave that to the Mithirans. It will give us the distraction we need."
Resigning himself to their plan, he allowed Aveil to steer him towards the door. Sheik gripped the shadow medallion, and the air around her shimmered. She vanished.
"Why can't I do that?" he asked. Becoming invisible would have made things a lot easier.
"Because you are not Sheikah," Sheik replied. "Besides, the magic infused in the medallion would drain too quickly, and with Shadow still tainted, we will have no way to replenish it."
"Hurry up and put the mask on," Aveil said impatiently.
Link stared at the mask, not liking this plan at all. "What about the other Kokiri?" he asked, realising he was leaving them behind. "Aren't we going to rescue them?"
"And just how do you intend to do that? Getting the three of you out is going to be difficult enough." Aveil looked at him as though she thought he was slightly thick-headed. "Until you break the curse on my people, letting them go would be difficult, and either the Twinrova sisters or Ganondorf would interfere."
"Who are the Twinrova sisters?" Link asked.
"Koume and Kotake, the two witches," Aveil explained. She sighed, exasperation clear on her face. "Look, wait until we're out of here, okay? Once we are, we can play twenty questions to your heart's content."
Taking a deep breath and ignoring the fact that Aveil now seemed quite convinced he was a semi-witless child, Link placed the mask on, shuddering as a chill rippled through his body. It was not as unpleasant as putting on the mask he'd used to dive into the depths of Lake Hylia, but it was still unsettling.
"Well, don't you look nice," Aveil said, sounding deeply amused as she stared him up and down. "I'm glad you went for a more tasteful outfit than a sparring uniform. Most Hylians think we have no sense of dignity whatsoever... It's a shame we don't have a mirror; you do look quite fetching."
Blushing furiously, Link looked down but saw no difference in his appearance. That was confusing. Maybe he'd notice if he took Aveil's suggestion and looked in a mirror - but a part of him really didn't want to do that.
"Sheik, can you go ahead and ready the horses?" Halvard said.
They didn't hear her go, and Link waved his hand through the air where she'd been standing.
She was gone.
~ 0 ~
Walking through the labyrinth of corridors, Link was glad he wasn't expected to find the way out on his own. He would never have made it. Anyone attempting to escape the dungeons would probably die of thirst or hunger before finding their way out. Finally, they stepped out into a corridor, moonlight splashing through windows and bathing the white walls. The two guards who had been assigned to his and Sheik's cell went towards one end of the corridor while Aveil took the other direction. Link and Halvard followed closely on her heels.
A strange feeling twisted Link's gut into knots as he walked past guards, all of whom greeted him with a nod. None of them actually spoke to him, for which Link was glad, as he couldn't speak Gerudic. That small dilemma, which Halvard had neglected to mention, was sure to be a dead giveaway if anyone spoke to him. Was that why Aveil was doing her best to look like she was in a very foul mood? Almost everyone darted out of the group's way. Even several servants who came out of side passages into their corridor squeaked and scurried off in the opposite direction. One dropped a vase, fumbling and catching it before it could shatter on the floor. With one frightened glance at Aveil, the young girl disappeared down the passage.
For once, that wasn't me, Link thought as the girl disappeared down a passage.
"Might I point out that it's only a matter of time before somebody wonders why you are doing that?" Halvard whispered.
"Be quiet," Aveil hissed.
She's enjoying this too much, Link thought.
They passed an armoury and Link caught a glimpse of polearms hanging on racks. Mounted on the walls were shields of luminous silver, their rims ruby-red, while a sunburst decorated the centre of each shield. Link could see his reflection in the shield - or rather the reflection of a Gerudo in a simple blue and white dress, a grey cowl drawn back and resting against his shoulders.
"What-" he exclaimed, struggling to stifle his shock and almost choking on it in the process. "What did you-"
"Mirror shields," Halvard whispered when he saw what Link was looking at. "They can reflect magic from their surface. You can imagine what a start that gave the poor unfortunate mages who first came across them."
He gave Link a sharp nudge on the shoulder, and the youth kept walking, knowing time wasn't on their side. He was busily pondering this when he tripped on a loose stone and nearly fell. Aveil quickly caught him under the arm, and he whispered his thanks.
"Anybody would think you really were wearing a woman's boots," she said quietly.
Link said nothing and kept moving. He'd barely made it a few more steps when a cackle from behind made him turn. Link's breath caught in his throat at the sight of an old witch, a ruby set into her forehead.
Koume.
Her long, crooked nose seemed to add to the look of wild delight in her large, bulbous eyes. She was standing a few feet away, leaning on her broom as if it were a staff.
Oh, Goddesses.
They had been so close to escaping. Koume was eyeing him with a predatory grin, the same expression she gave him right before torturing him. Link's heart sank. A tingling sensation burned on his left hand, but at that moment, Link didn't register its significance.
"Ho! What do we have here?" Koume cackled, waving a sleeve of her fine blue and grey robes towards Link. "Thought we'd take a nice stroll, did we?"
Koume wasn't supposed to be here, he thought. She was supposed to be at the temple.
There was another cackle as Koume's sister materialised out of thin air, holding her broom like a staff. Both witches turned to Halvard, who - oddly - was still smiling.
Is he mad? Link thought.
"Ah, hello. I don't suppose you fine mistresses can tell us the way out?" Halvard asked pleasantly with that incessant grin of his. "You see, we seem to have taken a wrong turn."
Aveil looked like she wanted nothing more than to smack him over the head.
"Heh, nice try!" Koume snickered at him.
"Traitor! I'll freeze you to the bone!" Kotake screeched, earning a mocking smile from Koume.
"I was never on your side to begin with," Halvard said, while Link and Aveil backed away, Halvard stepping between them.
"Ho! You are an insolent one, aren't you?" Koume said.
Two Gerudo rounded the corridor, stopping Link in his tracks. They froze at the spectacle, their eyes darting from the witches to Link and his companions. Aveil didn't even bother pulling her veil up. She spun around, unsheathed a knife, and sent it flying towards Koume.
"Run!" Aveil yelled. "All of you!"
Link bolted towards the nearest doorway, one of several that led into the armoury. Behind him, Koume unleashed a stream of fire that engulfed two Gerudo soldiers who had rounded the corner. Link's shock lasted only an instant before Halvard was yelling at him.
"Move!" the man yelled as Aveil sent another knife towards Kotake.
Link dived through the doorway, narrowly avoiding a blast of ice that struck the stonework beside him. He stumbled into a suit of armour, sending it crashing to the floor.
Aveil and Halvard followed him inside. Behind them, the witches mounted their brooms and gave chase, nearly crashing into each other. Taking evasive action, Koume nearly hit the wall.
"Use your eyes, Kotake!" she screeched. "Can't you see properly, Sis?"
"Your aim is not much better!" Kotake retorted, turning to scowl at her sister. "Your the one flying a broomstick inside!"
"And so are you!"
Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Halvard, Link, and Aveil ran towards the nearest of three doors that led into the armoury. A second later, it was clear the witches had finished their argument.
A burst of flames leapt from Koume's outstretched hand. Link threw himself aside, only to crash straight into a suit of armour. Pain lanced across his side as the suit of armour hit the ground, clanging and crashing with enough noise to wake the dead. Fortunately, the din didn't wake the dead, at least not yet.
Grunting with pain, Link got up and fled as Koume sent another wash of flames through the doorway. The spell almost struck Kotake as she flew past.
"Watch out!" she shrieked, only to be further distracted as she became aware of a new danger. Both witches were so determined to be the first into the armoury that they failed to take any notice of the shields upon the far wall. As they entered together, Koume's spell ricocheted off one of the silver shields and straight back towards the two witches. Kotake dodged the blast of fire, steering her broom away from the inferno before it could engulf her.
"Eek!" she screeched. "Are you trying to kill me, sis?"
"Don't get in the way next time," Koume shouted. The flames from her own spell washed harmlessly over her, only to hit an unfortunate Gerudo outside. A guard further down the corridor must have heard the commotion before running straight into the inferno. Her writhing, smouldering body told Link all he needed to know. She would not survive.
"You'll pay for that!" Aveil snarled, trying to reach her fallen comrade, only to be thwarted by more magic that went wildly crashing off the walls.
Link could hear Navi's indignant squeaks emanating from Halvard's pocket. Noticing this, the man took cover and quickly released the sprite. She shrieked as Kotake zipped around the weapons rack they used for cover. Halvard darted out of the way while Navi ducked to avoid a spray of sharp icicles.
"Navi, are you all right?" he asked.
At the sound of his voice, Navi turned and nearly fell out of the air in shock.
"Link?" she exclaimed. "That dress... what-"
"I'll explain later!" he yelled, snapping Navi's attention back to the two witches.
Koume aimed a spell at a nearby stone statue that resembled a hideous fusion of a lion and a man with rippling muscles.
The armoured giant trembled, coming to life with a roar. It lumbered towards Link, brandishing its giant war axe.
Link swore and jumped away just as the weapon came crashing down, gouging a line through solid stone. He rolled, landing hard, the mask falling from his face. This was enough to make the statue pause for an instant, giving Link time to get up, right before the next savage swing came within inches of beheading him.
"Navi!" he yelled. "A little help here!"
Link grabbed a polearm, preparing to throw it at the creature. The stone beast's axe cleaved through the weapon, splitting it in two.
Link cast the broken weapon aside. Then he saw the monster coming towards him, its axe whistling through the air again. He dodged. Barely.
"I could really do with a Goron bomb or two about now." Link snatched another spear to fend off the monster's axe. Predictably, the axe cleaved through the spear shaft.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Link exclaimed aloud, tossing aside the broken spear.
Aveil threw Halvard one of the silver mirror shields, then tossed Link a second, letting it land beside him. Snatching up the shield, Link raised it just in time. A frigid blast struck its mirrored surface and ricocheted into the wall. Navi was looking panic-stricken as she surveyed the scene, a sure sign they were in deep trouble. The stone statue's axe came down again.
"Navi?" Link called, trying to break her trance.
"Umm... hang on," she stammered. She looked around the room, no doubt searching for something that might be useful.
"I was hoping for something a little more helpful!" Link growled. He was growing more desperate and irate by the second. An axe became his next weapon, but it didn't last, the broken head spinning away as the statue let out a rumbling laugh.
Seething now, Link tossed the ruined weapon aside.
"Just hit its weak spot!" Navi suggested.
That wasn't helpful either.
"IT'S A ROCK, NAVI! IT DOESN'T HAVE A WEAK SPOT!" Link bellowed, ducking beneath another swing of the creature's axe.
"Well, I don't know!" she screamed back. "Try deflecting the witch's spell into it with one of the mirror shields."
That drew Kotake's attention.
"Stop helping him, you stupid insect!" she screeched, darting towards Navi. The fairy cried out and flew behind Link's shield.
Another fireball sent a suit of armour crashing to the ground, making enough noise to alert the entire fortress to the commotion. Link knew that not all within the walls would be loyal to Aveil. He ducked beneath another rush of fire that sent Aveil onto the floor, shrieking and cursing as the side of her clothing caught fire. She rolled on the ground, trying to smother the flames while grabbing a mirror shield of her own. Link and Halvard both jumped in front of Aveil, raising their shields to deflect the Twinrova sisters' attack.
"Are you all right?" Halvard called over his shoulder to Aveil.
"I'll be better when those two hags are dead!" Aveil called back, and Link chanced a glance to see her gingerly climbing to her feet.
Kotake flew into the corridor while Koume cackled and sent a stream of fire towards Link as he was busily sidestepping another blow from the statue. Link raised the mirror shield to intercept the fiery blast, and the flames bounced off the shield's surface, crashing into the knight. The stone exploded, bits of it slamming into Link, knocking him over.
Dazed, Link struggled to his feet. His head was swimming, and his eyes were stinging from the dust and smoke that was starting to fill the armoury. A laugh came from behind him, alerting him to Kotake's presence. She had entered through a different door. Halvard jumped between Link and Kotake, shield raised. From somewhere beyond the armoury, a horn sounded, its call quickly followed by the clang of gongs. It reverberated through the fortress until Link was almost sure the stones themselves were trembling.
Beside him, Halvard whispered urgently, "The witches are vulnerable to each other's attacks. We need to make them hit one another."
"How?" Link asked. He chanced a look and realised both witches were almost directly opposite each other.
"Just do exactly as I say," Halvard replied, a blast of ice bouncing off his shield. His words were almost lost beneath the commotion as the reflected blast slammed into a weapon rack. "When I tell you to get down, get down."
"This has been an entertaining display," Kotake chortled, "but it ends here."
"With my flame, I will burn you to the bone," Koume declared.
"With my frost, I will freeze your marrow," cried Kotake.
"Really, Sis, that's getting old," Koume complained.
"Yeah, well, it's better than yours," Kotake snapped back. "Now shut up while I kill these outrageous-"
"Wait, I want to finish what I started," Koume cut her sister off, smiling cruelly at Link. He gulped, knowing what was coming.
That was when Navi flew straight in front of him. "No, I won't let you hurt him!"
"Navi," Link hissed, stepping forward. "No!"
Koume laughed, looking thoroughly excited. "It looks like I have a volunteer, sis. Very well, I've done this to a fairy before. He screamed and squealed for ages while I set his blood on fire. It wasn't a pretty sight afterwards. A shame the little runt of a boy got away, or he would have been next."
Navi went rigid with shock, a faint and feeble whisper escaping her throat. "Arden."
Link seethed at the mention of Forenz's fairy. He couldn't believe the witch sounded disappointed. Every instinct screamed at him to charge Koume. He forced himself to stay where he was, knowing that was probably exactly what she wanted.
They'll regret that, he thought savagely. It took all his will not to rush at them and attack, knowing that was probably what they wanted him to do.
He scanned his surroundings for a bow. Even a hookshot might have come in handy, but he found nothing.
Koume shot forward, hands raised towards Navi.
"NO!" Link bellowed, snatching Navi from the air as a hot, prickling pain spread through him.
Goddesses.
It was happening again.
The witches were almost directly opposite each other now, too intent on Link and Navi to notice the danger.
Halvard did.
"Link, get down!" Halvard yelled, turning the attention of both witches on him.
Link did.
Kotake let loose a stream of white light. Koume unleashed her own attack. As they did, Link hit the ground, while Halvard leapt aside at the last possible moment. The two streams of magic shot through the air in a mesmerising dance of ice and fire, singeing Link's fringe as they tore over his head. He flattened himself lower to the ground.
The witches shrieked, almost in unison, both trying to throw up some form of magical shield to block the other's spell. Kotake formed a rippling shield in the air in front of her. It withstood the brunt of the impact. Koume, however, was not fast enough. A loud crack reverberated through the air as the witch was turned into a hideous ice sculpture. Then the ice shattered, leaving nothing left of Koume except small puddles of cold water. Kotake gave a horrible scream of anguish, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
Halvard caught Aveil by the arm and urged her towards the exit. As he did, Link kept his mirror shield aloft and snatched up the Gerudo Mask. Seeing that it was still intact, he donned the mask.
"You! You killed my sister! You killed her! I'll kill you!" Kotake's scream chased Link into the corridor as he bolted after Aveil and Halvard. "I'll get you! I'll get you and your little fairy too!"
Link snatched a scimitar off the floor as a stream of ice cut its way towards him. It missed, the ice melting as it came close to a weapons rack still alight from Koume's attack.
Navi hid in Link's pocket, and he ran. He met the others outside the doorway, just as Gerudo after Gerudo poured into the corridor, weapons drawn and veils raised. Most of them relaxed at the sight of Aveil, if only a little. She shouted an order. Whatever was said, they obeyed, most of them running back the way they came while the rest went to investigate the armoury. As he moved towards a flight of stairs, Link dared a look back to see Kotake being chased off by a dozen Gerudo, their spears level with the ground. She fled, and Link continued running. He darted up the stairs and down a corridor until he reached a door into one of the many courtyards.
It opened onto chaos.
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Lord Darth Yoda chapter 38 . Jan 3, 2015
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