While I Waited

Into the Sands

The headache kept me awake a few hours longer, but when I finally fell asleep a Goron concert couldn't have woken me.  When my eyes peeled open, I winced at the light slashing between the rug and the window.

Zoral was sitting cross-legged in the main room, stirring a pot of lavim, the cool, yellow-brown paste Gerudo slathered on everything.  She pointed to a ready plate of flatbread.  "Eat.  You must hear me before you go."

Not particularly eager to face the full power of the noonday sun, I sat down across from the Gerudo.

"There are things you must know before you go into the Sands," Zoral began, unrolling a scroll as long as my chest and half again as wide.  Varying shades of brown ink wove across it, delineating the various territories, roads, and geographical features of the Gerudo territory.  A full third of the west side, I knew, was devoted to swirls the color of diluted coffee, the Swallowing Sands.  But this map had lines of red snaking through it.

"I ask everyone who comes back alive their route," Zoral explained, tracing a solid line, then a dashed line.  "The more ink, the more successes."

I studied the map.  Most of the red kept to the southwest, near the canyon border on that side.  One bold line defied the others, zigzagging about the center before cutting for the north border.  

"Devotees of the Twinrova," Zoral said, following my eyes.  "They were surprisingly open about their location.  But then, that temple is supposed to be impregnable."

"There aren't any routes straight across?" I asked.  The Great Fairy fountain was rumored to be on the far west side.

Zoral leaned back.  "I was afraid you'd ask that."  She shook her head.  "You really do need another dose of wisdom if you're off hunting the Great Fairy.  You know she never gives you what you want?  And that's just the legends.  The truth is, I've seen too many young vai set their eyes toward the sunset, and not one has come back."

I blushed, but tightened my jaw.  "I wouldn't be going if I had any other choice."

Zoral sighed.  "That's what they all say.  But... it is what I was hoping you'd say."  With grim smile, she stabbed a finger down on the north edge of the sands.  "The Spirit Temple.  Since the fall of the Hylian dynasty, the Twinrova have become unbelievably rich.  And not just in wealth.  Kotake and Koume have taken charge again, and they've always had a bent for sorcery.  Half the devotees are bringing in charms, herbs, and one even claimed he caught a fairy.  If its magic you need, they'll have it."

I cocked my head.  "Didn't you just say the temple is impregnable?"

"Sure, which makes them cocky," Zoral said.  "Plus, you're Hylian.  Oh, don't start, you're half my height, if the eyes weren't enough - anyway, the Twinrova are always looking for more information about Hylians, especially that escaped princess.  If you go in, feed them something time-consuming but tempting, you can get your reward and be off before anyone's the wiser."

I started to laugh, but stopped at the self-satisfied look in her eyes.  "You honestly believe walking into the Spirit Temple is safer than going to the Great Fairy."  It was a statement so full of wonder that I couldn't keep the question out of my tone.

Zoral nodded, tracing the solid red line.  "I know it is."

I looked down at the map, then back at her.  Her green eyes were fierce.  "I don't want to see another Swallowed."

I blew a sigh, then nodded.  "You're right.  Besides, I've got to be back for my horse."

Zoral gave a hearty laugh.  "Well, get you gone, then!  Spin those hags a great little scavenger hunt!"

____

I headed northwest until Zoral's house disappeared behind the horizon.  Then I set my eyes on the setting sun.  

"No disrespect, vaba," I said.  Zoral probably knew what she was talking about.  For an ordinary Gerudo, a pilgrimage to the Great Fairy was certain suicide, while trying to con the Twinrova was only nearly so.  

But I was no ordinary Gerudo.  I was Zelda Gaeporan Hyrule, blessed of Nayru and heir to the Hylian throne, and it would be seven times worse than suicide to put myself in the hands of the Twinrova.  If I did that, I would have not just the blood of my kingdom on my head, but that of the entire world.