"Then you're a natural as much as you're practiced," he complimented her. "You should see how many people they turn away, day by day. Even I have to fight a little to get in sometimes." He shook his head ruefully. "But they mean well. It's their princess they want to protect. And I'm sure even your kindly Mr. Toadsworth would fight tooth and nail to keep you safe." Link's smile was a little sad: he understood she must miss him. She must miss her entire kingdom and the life she'd had before she was so rudely yanked into his own world. It was easy to forget the point of this whole expedition was to find out why and how Peach had been wrested from the Mushroom Kingdom... but unavoidably, to also return her where she belonged. He preferred not to think about that part. Already he was getting attached to having her along.
It didn't take them long to reach the palace, carved right out of the brown-red sandstone. Spires traveled up and up and up, merging with the living rock and re-emerging once more as the shape of the stone demanded. Guards stood at nearly every step along the entrance but Link walked on. He was tempted to take Peach's hand, knowing this might be a distressing or at least unnerving experience, but also knew that it would show weakness. They had to keep up a strong front or the Gerudo would be likely to reconsider their entry. They passed through the large, carved entrance and underneath the many glyphs and pictures struck into the stone. Carvings depicted the culture's victories, their defeats and their many mythologies, all fairly incomprehensible to the outsider's eye but no doubt instantly recognizable to the Gerudo. The culture shock ended as soon as they entered the palace proper, however; like a Hylian castle (and like a Mushroom Kingdom castle, Link assumed) a long straight path led to a throne. However, as they drew nearer it became quickly obvious the stone chair was unoccupied. In fact, aside from the guards that stood stiffly on either side of the walkway, only one person joined them in that room: a woman with a single eyepatch and chain mail covering nearly every part of her body below her collarbones.
"State your business," she said crisply. But when Link opened his mouth she raised a hand. "Princess Peach. As royalty, please speak your intentions for this unannounced visit." She inclined her head, paying due respect to the visiting royalty. Clearly a runner of some sort had communicated just who her visitors were. "Impa," Link whispered to his companion. "She's the princess's royal guard. You can trust her."
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He preferred not to think about that part. Already he was getting attached to having her along.
It didn't take them long to reach the palace, carved right out of the brown-red sandstone. Spires traveled up and up and up, merging with the living rock and re-emerging once more as the shape of the stone demanded. Guards stood at nearly every step along the entrance but Link walked on. He was tempted to take Peach's hand, knowing this might be a distressing or at least unnerving experience, but also knew that it would show weakness. They had to keep up a strong front or the Gerudo would be likely to reconsider their entry.
They passed through the large, carved entrance and underneath the many glyphs and pictures struck into the stone. Carvings depicted the culture's victories, their defeats and their many mythologies, all fairly incomprehensible to the outsider's eye but no doubt instantly recognizable to the Gerudo. The culture shock ended as soon as they entered the palace proper, however; like a Hylian castle (and like a Mushroom Kingdom castle, Link assumed) a long straight path led to a throne. However, as they drew nearer it became quickly obvious the stone chair was unoccupied. In fact, aside from the guards that stood stiffly on either side of the walkway, only one person joined them in that room: a woman with a single eyepatch and chain mail covering nearly every part of her body below her collarbones.
"State your business," she said crisply. But when Link opened his mouth she raised a hand. "Princess Peach. As royalty, please speak your intentions for this unannounced visit." She inclined her head, paying due respect to the visiting royalty. Clearly a runner of some sort had communicated just who her visitors were. "Impa," Link whispered to his companion. "She's the princess's royal guard. You can trust her."