In the Jail Cell

Link swung the Master Sword in a spectacular arc before driving it forward in the hopes of hitting his target. There was a soft laugh, and the Gerudo leaped back deftly, pointing the glinting tips of her twin scimitars at the teenager playfully. Link grit his teeth and wiped sweat off his brow hurriedly; his sheet of blonde hair was draping over his eyes, making it hard to see…maybe this would mean it was time for a haircut in the near future.

“Tired?” simpered the Gerudo, leaning forward and fluttering her eyelashes girlishly. “Let’s forget this foolish battle. You need a rest.”

Link backed away slowly, glaring at his foe. He knew this tactic well, and had fallen for it too many times for him not to learn from his mistakes. Suppressing his infatuation, he grabbed his sword and charged lighting-fast at the stunned Gerudo – he was closing his eyes for the impact – this was it, he was going to hit her!

Clang!

Link gasped as he fell over backwards on the ground, turning to look up in amazement at his adversary. She hadn’t the time to jump out of the way, so her scimitars served as her protection. Rubbing a sore rump, Link slowly got to his feet and retrieved his sword a few feet away, making extra sure to look nowhere but her eyes. Averting your gaze is weakness. And when you’re already unarmed, weakness is the worst thing any accomplished swordsman can come up against.

“You and I both know that was way too close, boy!” the Gerudo hissed, eyes flashing menacingly. “Stop this now. Leave our valley and never come back – what could possibly be here that you want so badly, anyway?”

“Hyrule’s freedom,” Link answered quietly. If his foe was confused, she hid it well; her eyes were as cold as ever. Link’s mind was in turmoil; just about any move he could make from this position would earn him instant death. The Gerudo was deadly, and he was tired. In this state he would never defeat her. The obvious thing to do?

Stall.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

“I only get half the story,” was the reply. The Gerudo looked faintly annoyed now, as if any moment spent out of life-and-death combat was a moment wasted, but neither wanted to make the first move, and both were determined to wait for the other to strike first. “Ganondorf’s taken over the majority of Hyrule,” she continued, careful to keep her eyes level with Link’s. “And you think there’s something here, in Gerudo Valley, that will help you defeat him? Don’t make me laugh.”

“But you must want to do something to stop him!” Link said desperately. Unlike his adversary, he was doing a terrible job of concealing his emotions. “Wouldn’t you choose to help me? Wouldn’t any chance to stop him be better than none?”

There was a pause. And then…

“No.”

Suddenly the Gerudo, and Link, were everywhere at once. Link quickly parried the first blow and swung blinding where her head had been moments before, but no longer; she he ducked and jabbed him in the stomach with her deadly sword, causing blood to blossom sickly over his dark green tunic. The desire to vomit was painfully strong, and with only one hand to fight with, the other trying desperately to stem the flow of blood, Link was horrifyingly crippled. The scimitars were flying through the air in patterns of cold steel, swinging perilously close to his bobbing head. Finally the Gerudo grew impatient, striking out at his unprotected leg. With the help of the Master Sword the hit was mostly deflected, if not for the small scratch inflicted on him. Link was amazed at her skill. It took every ounce of strength and agility just to block her moves, let alone make one of his own. Suddenly her left foot swung out and knocked him onto his back, winding him -he was on the ground, the sword tip tickling his Adam’s Apple…

“I win,” the Gerudo said unnecessarily, grinning at her prey. Link licked his bleeding lips and glared back up at her.

“You’ve forgotten something basic.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“A downed opponent isn’t out of the game.” There was a bloodcurdling scream and the Gerudo fell to the ground, dead. Link got to his feet slowly, wincing as he went, and retracted his hookshot from the pit of her stomach.

“And the opponent’s primary weapon isn’t necessarily going to deal the finishing blow.”

With that, he took the key from her pocket and limped out of the room.

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