"Ganondorf."

The voice of a goddess, accompanied by the body of the same.

"My lord," she corrected.

This warrior tended to be inappropriately casual, but I expected as much with how frequently I called upon her. She was skilled with many weapons and made a formidable sparring partner. I trusted her to lead teams when needed, to complete simple tasks with ease and to be ruthless when required for more complicated duties.

"Yes, Ganondora, you may enter," I called.

As promised, she returned with the requested prisoner in tow. A Zora, nearly as tall as my warrior, was yanked inside my tent, stumbled, and forced to his knees before me. His wrists were shackled behind his back in rusted iron. Bruises and cuts on his face and torso signified a fierce beating or struggle. "Captain Mitar. I've been expecting you."

As many did, even the most experienced generals that defied death countless times, the Zora shivered in my presence. "Why am I here?"

"Because you are viewed by Durak, a general in the Goron army, as a threat," I explained directly with conceit. "They have failed to kill you on their own and have asked me to capture and eliminate you."

"Durak asked you to do this? For what? As a favor?" Mitar exclaimed in disbelief. "Gorons are above such tricks. They possess more honor!"

"Oh, never fear. I will be richly rewarded for the delivery of your head. First, you will tell me why you have joined this pointless war in the first place."

"I don't know if I'm more concerned by your sudden interest or confused why you even care to know."

"I have my reasons."

"It doesn't matter either way. I won't tell you miscreants anything!"

"Dora," I said, using her name as a command. She smashed the heel of her boot into Mitar's spine, which sent his head flying down to the dry dirt at our feet. I grinned maliciously as she pressed her boot on his head and applied pressure until he grimaced. "Haven't you been tortured enough?" I wondered, feigning empathy. "None of you are going to win this war. Only I will win. Tell me what I need to know and I mercifully allow my associate to end your suffering."

The warrior twisted her heel into Mitar's skull, and he responded with a squeal of agony. Once the pain subsided, he craned his neck to gaze up at me while he talked. "King Zora joined the war because we were wronged. We tried to stay neutral, but the King of Hyrule threatened the eggs of the queen if we continued to refuse his requests to join him. Our king was stubborn. Guards patrolling the domain caught a Sheikah poisoning the eggs. We stopped him, but only one survived. In turn, we have poisoned the water flowing to Hyrule. That is how we will eventually win."

"And they call me a monster," I remarked with a deep chuckle and a twisted grin. Dora added a rich laugh. "The request I received offered more treasure if I delivered you alive, but you have provided me with some invaluable information, which is worth more than any mount of rupees."

"Bastard!" Mitar twisted his shoulders to fight against the Gerudo pinning his head to the ground.

"Kill him," I ordered callously, my expression suddenly dark. The prisoner began to scream but Dora swiftly sliced his throat before the echoes carried far. His head detached after two more vicious swings. "Let the others pick him clean of his belongings." Zora were customarily well adorned with gems of a wide variety, with masterfully crafted weapons, and clothes made out of the finest linen. A smile lit the warrior's face as she sheathed her weapon, and then leaned over to pick up the corpse. She pushed open the flap on the tent and tossed the body out for her comrades. "Deliver his head and bring the payment straight back here," I commanded. "No detours."

"I won't deviate," Dora promised, lifting the Zora's head by its long fin. The odd shape proved troublesome to stuff into the leather bag without causing further breakage or damage. "I will return here once I've collected our reward," she reassured. "Do you need anything else?"

This warrior in particular never failed to make an excuse to linger, where others were eager to flee. She showed no fear toward me. While her kin evaded my gaze, I often caught her staring me directly in the eye. Her attitude and demeanor intrigued me. For this reason, I bestowed upon her a task more important than her own life. "Have you located any clues or seen any symbols that resemble the ones I showed you?"

"No, my lord," she answered honestly. "As soon as I do, I won't be able to wait to share it with you."

"Disappointing, but not unexpected. We must take advantage now, before they destroy themselves."

"Do you think this war is because of the Triforce?"

"No, but as the blood continues to spill I am certain that it will be sought to bring it to an end. Whoever claims the Triforce will conquer Hyrule, which is why finding it first is of utmost importance."

"I will not fail you," she promised for the twentieth time, reminding me this mission was her highest priority. With the package in hand, she departed. I knew this warrior was an essential key to my victory. My duty was to prepare her to play that role.