-- A little fun fan fiction while we wait for Breath of the Wild 2! Thanks for reading and please vote if you enjoy. :-) --
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Anxiously, he looked around as he stepped foot inside the sand-colored walls of the town. The guards seemed to buy his disguise, even as he feared he might somehow give himself away. The marketplace was hustling and bustling with activity under the bright heat of the day. Eyes fixated on him, wondering about this new little outsider who had come from beyond the desert.
It was well known that Gerudo Town was off limits to males. The place was heavily guarded to enforce this particular custom of the Gerudo people. Link had learned this firsthand during the couple of previous times he attempted to sneak in, only to be caught by the guards and roughly tossed out one of the entranceways on his back. In no short time, he'd realized this approach was futile, given the size and strength of the guards.
Compared to his modest height, Gerudo women were practically giants. Most stood two or even three feet taller than him, and their bare midriffs made no secret of how fit they were, showing off abs that were capable of making many men blush. The Gerudo were tough tanned-skin, fiery-haired warriors, and the soldiers and guards within the town certainly reflected the truth of this reputation with their huge and muscular stature. They had picked up and thrown Link out like he was a mere sack of apples.
Determined as he was, though, Link had come up with another way of getting into the town. In a bazaar on the outskirts of the area, he had met someone who had access to Gerudo clothing. For a fee, he had purchased the turquoise veil disguising his face, as well as the purple sirwal and green top that fit his smaller frame surprisingly well. Link was not lacking in strength himself, so it was mildly embarrassing, yet admittedly amusing, that he could apparently pass as female among the Gerudo.
Princess Zelda had entrusted him with the task of scoping out the Gerudo forces for their strategic value. With the prophesied return of Calamity Ganon, she was prepared to enlist all the support Hyrule could get. Zelda had spoken highly of the Gerudo Chief, who had been close friends with her mother, but she had emphasized the risk to Link all the same. He was to remain undercover and report back to her whatever he could on the number and might of the Gerudo forces.
If she saw him now, what would she think? Her friend and protector, dressed like a Gerudo girl. He imagined she would giggle and tease him. Though perhaps she would be less entertained. Being her appointed knight was not always an easy job, and sometimes it felt like a thankless one. Devoted as he was to her, there was something different, something almost relaxing, about being where he was now.
Somehow, he fit in here. The Gerudo seemed to accept him as a Hylian
vai --
their word for female. He visited the market, conversed with people in the square, and was greeted and treated as friendly. Even so, there was a nervous energy in him that someone might see through his disguise. This grew stronger as he walked through the barracks where the soldiers were practicing and training. He felt no doubt that he was outnumbered and could be easily overpowered by them.
The soldiers were kind, however, as he spoke with them. It was clear they saw this little Hylian as no threat. Some of them grinned, seeing Link stare a bit at their muscles, or watching him rub the back of his head curiously.
There were rumors about Gerudo women. Males of their race were so uncommon that it fed into speculation about how they managed to procreate. Some thought that Gerudo women must at times involve themselves with men of other races. Others imagined that perhaps there may be more to Gerudo
vai
than meets the eye. Link couldn't help wondering if any of them suspected his thoughts as his gaze drifted and wandered.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he started to leave the barracks, heading back to the marketplace. It appeared that he would be able to complete his mission for the princess without any trouble. Things had gone fairly well, and at least the outfit he was wearing was quite comfortable in the heat.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Trying to remain calm, he kept walking. The sound came closer. He turned quickly into the marketplace and hid between a group of people browsing one of the stands. After a minute, his pulse began to slow and he felt safe again.
Not wasting anymore time, he headed for the archway exiting Gerudo Town. As he started to approach, the guards turned back to face him, holding out their spears in his direction. He panicked. Link darted swiftly down an alley to his right. He climbed over fencing and passed a woman who was selling Sand Seals. Then down another alley he went.
Footsteps were following him once more. His feet took flight and he was now running, searching and praying for another exit. Before he could find one, his legs gave out as someone grabbed him by the pants and tackled him. He heard the clatter of his sword hitting the ground and lost his sense of direction for where it fell.
Warm air tickled his backside and he realized that his sirwal had been pulled off in the process. His breathing became heavy as he laid motionless, not wanting to move and possibly be exposed. Behind him, someone took him by the waist and set him back on his feet.
Link felt small and helpless, even more so when he found himself surrounded by three large and imposing guards, one of which held his sword in her hand. Another at his back put her hand on his shoulder gently. The two in front looked down at his underwear. His heart was beating relentlessly now.
"Be still,
voe
," the voice behind him said firmly. This was not good, he knew.
Voe
was the Gerudo word for males.
One of the guards stepped forward and yanked the veil down from his face. He gasped and backed up against the guard behind him. He felt himself come up to her chest and looked up and behind himself nervously. Her grip tightened on his shoulder. There was no escape.
"You again?!" another guard in front scolded. "By the Seven, you just don't learn, do you?"
"To the pillory?" asked the one behind him.
"To the pillory, Lashley," the guard addressed her fellow guard, before continuing to speak more discreetly in the Gerudo language.
The two remaining Gerudo escorted Link to the center of the marketplace at the edge of a spear. Dozens of eyes fell on him as the people began to gather around. A guard wheeled out a platform with a wooden pillory attached to it. Link fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling the sharp tip of the spear lightly touch his back.
Lashley pulled up on the top portion of the device, allowing access to the three holes between the boards. Another guard forcefully pushed Link to the opening, pressing on his back until he bent over. Down came the top board, until he had no choice but to settle into the slots for his hands and neck. He let out a quiet, stuttered breath as he heard it lock into place. From where he was, he was looking into a small sea of faces, all staring at him and whispering to one another. Some frowned at him, others were taking in the scene with impatience, while still others were watching with eager anticipation.
Link's cheeks began to turn red. A chuckle rose up from the crowd, followed by more chattering.
"Attention!" came a voice from above him. He tilted his head to see a tall Gerudo speaking to those gathered in front. "This Hylian
voe
has broken our laws. He has committed his third offense trying to sneak into our town. He has disrespected you, disrespected our community, and disrespected our customs. In accordance with the ways of the Gerudo, he must be punished. What say you?"
"Yes!" shouted some in the crowd. "Punish him!" others said.