Ganon. That information brought an immediate flash to the woman's eyes: clearly the name was as known to her as it was hated. Although Impa's stand was relaxed, arms folded over her chest, Link knew just how quick to action she was. A Sheikah, trained specifically for the purpose of defending the royal families, she was always ready. He had crossed blades with her only once or twice, and never seriously. Even the Hero of Time had struggled against her skill.
"Quite distant," the woman echoed. "From where do you hail, princess? I don't think I recognize your face or your name, and it is my duty to know a great deal about the royal families." She listened intently, the intense gaze of her single eye never leaving Peach's face. She stayed silent for a moment or two after the princess had finished speaking. When Link opened his mouth, however, she again held up a hand. "I believe I understand," she replied. "In your efforts to return to your own land and to discover the reason for Ganon's machinations... you have of course come here, to the Gerudo homeland."
Link caught and held his breath. He stood rigid beside Peach and watched Impa carefully, but after a moment instead of bursting into action she just slowly nodded. "It is true that Ganon hails from the Gerudo of old, but I will believe you came here simply because you were... closest." Link let out the breath he'd been holding in a slow, mediated whoosh and released the tension in his hands. That had been the danger of coming her first: it was equally likely the proud Gerudo would react with hostility when confronted with the reality of Ganon as it was that they would comprehend the lack of ulterior motive--or blame. "And so you are here to warn and to ascertain the safety of the princess. I will pass along the message but I fear you will be unable to meet with the princess at this time. She has shut herself away in her quarters and refuses to answer any entreaties."
no subject
"Quite distant," the woman echoed. "From where do you hail, princess? I don't think I recognize your face or your name, and it is my duty to know a great deal about the royal families." She listened intently, the intense gaze of her single eye never leaving Peach's face. She stayed silent for a moment or two after the princess had finished speaking. When Link opened his mouth, however, she again held up a hand. "I believe I understand," she replied. "In your efforts to return to your own land and to discover the reason for Ganon's machinations... you have of course come here, to the Gerudo homeland."
Link caught and held his breath. He stood rigid beside Peach and watched Impa carefully, but after a moment instead of bursting into action she just slowly nodded. "It is true that Ganon hails from the Gerudo of old, but I will believe you came here simply because you were... closest." Link let out the breath he'd been holding in a slow, mediated whoosh and released the tension in his hands. That had been the danger of coming her first: it was equally likely the proud Gerudo would react with hostility when confronted with the reality of Ganon as it was that they would comprehend the lack of ulterior motive--or blame. "And so you are here to warn and to ascertain the safety of the princess. I will pass along the message but I fear you will be unable to meet with the princess at this time. She has shut herself away in her quarters and refuses to answer any entreaties."