Chapter 7: Calm
Ordon Village Ruins
Eshe and Carrot set up a camp deep within the burned, charred remains of Ordon Village. Luckily, none of the bodies of water had been harmed due to the fire, so the two were able to use wood that had survived the blaze to create a better shelter, shelter they could use again should they need to.
The Gerudo remained awake long after Carrot had gone to bed. Dyaus was even sleeping. Her blue eyes were focused on the Master Sword. This was what so many before her used to destroy evil. How had Ganondorf survived her previous incarnation's battle?
He's probably getting stronger... She thought to herself, I wish this were as simple for me as it were for The Hero of Time. He had no previous incarnations in Termina. All he had to do was find the Four Giants to keep the moon from falling...
Silly girl... He had to do much more than that.
Eshe stood, looking around, gripping the Master Sword tightly. Her blue eyes scanned the area. The sword in her hand reacted to her alertness and pulsed in her hand. She looked down and the blade curved some, almost into a scimitar shape.
"What...?" Eshe blinked at the blade before everything around her went white. She gasped, turning and looking around.
"Who's there?!" The Gerudo called out, her blue eyes narrowing.
"I will not harm you. I have no reason to." A soft, female voice said before Eshe watched as a pale skinned, green eyed, and blonde haired woman appeared before her.
"Who are you?" Eshe asked.
"I am Farore, Goddess of Courage," The Goddess smiled brightly at the Gerudo before her, "The one who chose you."
"Why me? Was it just because Ganondorf would have killed any child that looked similar to Link?" Eshe asked.
"No, Eshe," Farore said, slightly circling the Gerudo, "I chose you because you take Ganondorf aback, you frighten him so slightly."
"How?" Eshe asked.
"Gerudo women are trained differently, can fight against their attackers and choose to. You became my chosen, Link reincarnated, because you simply are you." Farore smiled, her green eyes meeting Eshe's blue.
"Because I'm me?" Eshe asked softly.
"It takes courage to talk to someone who antagonized you simply because they were hurt." The Goddess reminded the Gerudo girl.
"Carrot is simply a child..." Eshe tried to argue.
"No, they aren't. Carrot was created from dark magic, and without a soul. But you showed just the smallest amount of compassion and changed their outlook, took them as a friend, just because you felt connected to Carrot due to Saria talking to both of you." Farore pointed out.
Eshe opened her mouth to protest, then went quiet. She held down her shoulders, her eyes scanning the ground. She had done that, yes... Farore smiled and gave a soft chuckle, pulling Eshe from her thoughts.
"Everything is how it's supposed to. Even Tetra, whom came with Carrot, has her own duty." Farore smiled, "She will help you eventually, because you cannot do this alone with how strong Ganondorf has become."
"How has he gotten so strong?" Eshe asked.
"When he was born, Ganondorf was chosen by a demon named Demise to be his reincarnation. Demise has made Ganondorf stronger with each day, to the point that the three that my sisters and I chose need to reawaken a strong force from the past. The Dragons that Bear Our Name. Dinraal will be Tetra's mount. Farosh will be yours." Farore said with a broad smile.
"Wait... dragon? Dragons? They're a thing here? In Termina they were simply a myth!" Eshe said aghast.
"They are real, sealed in stone from ages past. Farosh lies to the farthest coast, beyond the Gerudo Desert. He awaits you, waiting for your touch to awaken him from slumber." The Goddess said.
"Why were they sealed? The dragons?" The Gerudo asked.
"They were no longer needed to protect the people, as the Four Giants protected Termina, the Three Dragons protected Hyrule in the scariest times," Farore answered, "Volcano, Sea and Snow."
Eshe nodded, taking in a big breath. She gave a small smile and turned to Farore, "I will retrieve him."
"You will see something in the sea that is quite surprising. Be prepared..." Farore said softly.
Suddenly darkness fell back over. Eshe blinked to see Carrot and Dyaus in a deep sleep. She could only smile as she sat near the shelter. Morning was almost here, and they would leave for the Sea beyond the Gerudo Desert.
Something surprising, huh? I wonder what it is... She thought with a smile on her face.
Kakariko Village
Tetra had made her way to the village beneath Death Mountain. The sun was rising, basking the town in a golden glow. Many more lived here now due to her father's rule making it near impossible to live in Hyrule Castle Town. Though the sun had barely risen, many people were already out and about, going to their fields, tending crops, and feeding animals. There was a semblance of peace here, a calm that Tetra had never felt before.
She pushed forward through the town. She had little supplies, but enough rupees from going about looking under rocks. She felt her stomach rumble and she shuddered. She should have brought more supplies, but how was she to know that a Goddess was going to present herself to her and she wasn't going to return home?
Finally, a sweet smell wafted into Tetra's nostrils. Fresh fruit pie. She turned her head to see the tavern was barely opened. A portly woman stood in the opened window with a grin. Tetra could only smile as she approached the tavern.
"How much for a slice of the pie?" She asked the woman.
"Oh dear, it has yet to cool down. I do have other foods in here, if you wish to come inside!" The woman smiled brightly.
Tetra nodded, stepping into the building. The woman wasn't wrong, she did have other foods. There was a fresh, cooling omelet with goat cheese, simmered fruit and veggie trays, and some roasted fish. The girl turned about, finally reaching for simmered fruit and the cooling omelet. She turned to the storekeep with rupees in hand.
"I'll take these, please." She said shyly. She had never been in town before without her family. This was a whole new experience for her.
"Twenty rupees, love." The store owner smiled softly, "And believe me, you should get some good rest after you eat! I see those dark circles under your eyes."
Tetra blushed a deep red, as deep as the rupee she gave the store owner, "I guess I didn't sleep well enough last night."
"Ah, then you need to go across the way to the inn. Marcus is a great person, and will give you a discount. But first, you need to eat! I heard your stomach rumbling since the moment you stepped close to my tavern!" The shopkeep grinned.
"Oh, uh..." Tetra looked around with wide golden eyes.
"I have tables in the back. Go sit, relax, eat. " The portly woman's deep brown eyes were so friendly and kind that Tetra followed her directions. She sat and devoured the food before her in a matter a minutes. She had never eaten so fast in her life.
Is this peace? Tetra wondered, It's nice... Why would father not want it to be like this?
Small bit of a filler chapter. The action will pick up again, I just wanted to slow the pace a bit is all!
Tetra is wondering why her father wants so much turmoil, and Eshe has discovered that there is a sea beyond the desert. I will fore warn you guys, this is where we start playing into the theories I have in my head somewhat when it comes to Hyrule and Termina possibly just being different countries and magic played a part in Link (and in this story Eshe) arriving via magic.
And what is this surprise that Farore tells Eshe that awaits her? Will she be able to see the Great Bay from the sea? Or will she see something else? Will Tetra have the power to tame Dinraal? Review and stay tuned!
