It was the hot season. The sun beat down upon the desert. Though it was still only morning, heat waves could already be seen rising up from the sands. What little wind there was that blew through the desert valley, was not at all refreshing. It was hot and remorseless. It was like walking into the heart of Death Mountain to any unlucky enough to get caught in its air current. Unfortunately for Ganondorf, he was such an unlucky soul.

No one within his tribe was outside today. No one, except, of course, his class. Jafora, his Meister, never passed up a chance to give her students more rigorous training. Any hardship, she saw as an opportunity. Ganondorf would admire that, if he was not forced to train under it. He scowled as he was forced to practice his martial arts under such extreme heat. He was raised in the desert, but this was just ridiculous!

When Jafora finally called for a break, all the children, Ganondorf included, hustled as fast as they could towards the fortress, where the only shade could be found. Jafora could not help but laugh as she watched the children sluggishly crawl along the hot sand towards their cool destination. Though it was not planned, she saw this as a test for the children.

She stood in the square, watching her students' behaviors. They all wanted the shade, but some were faster than others. When the first girl made it inside the fortress, she sighed and sank to the floor, relieved to be inside. She did not even look at her sisters, who were still making their way. Then another girl made it inside,followed by a third. Slowly, the entrance became full of little sisters. That left only four students remaining, including Ganondorf. So far, Jafora was not impressed.

Of the five, Briahji was the first to scramble inside the fortress. After her, finally, Ganondorf slid into the fold. However, after he made it inside, he turned to see the other sisters still outside. Dyran walked slowly, her curly red hair hanging over her face. a few yards behind her there was Juhani. The heat didn't seem to bother her that much, she was just a naturally slower sister.

Jeneev was in the back, crawling slowly in the sand. She struggled with the regular desert heat, so this was torture for her. It amazed Ganondorf that she was even out here today at all. While he wasn't all too fond of her, he did not enjoy witnessing the suffering of his sisters, whoever they may be.

To Jafora's surprise, the young prince walked back into the hot sun. He walked passed both Dryan and Huhari, who scarcely noticed him. In silence, he pulled Jeneev up under her arms and dragged her to the fortress. Once she was safely inside, he went back out and did the same with Dyran, holding her arm around his shoulders and aiding her walk. Lastly, he took Juhari by the hand and walked with her, at her own chosen pace, to the shade.

Jafora smiled at the young prince, he had passed her little test. Once all the children were safely inside, Jafora sat down in the middle of the square, taking in the heat of the summer sun. Her eyes closed as the trained her body to withstand the invisible inferno. She focussed on the lingering pain, visualizing flames lapping at her back, shoulders, arms, face, and stomach. To her, life constantly threw tests, like the one she had just witnessed. True strength came from recognizing these tests, and accepting them.

As she sat in silence, the sands before her shifted slightly. Ganondorf stood before her. His body was drenched in sweat. His hair sat flatly on his head. He looked upon his meister with a furrow in his brow. Why was she doing this? It made no sense to him. WHy would anyone willingly sit out in the middle of this heat. Then he noticed it.

Her skin was dry. Not cracked and peeling, but comfortably dry. She wasn't sweating. Finally, he understood. Crossing his legs, he plopped onto the sand in front of his teacher. He too was going to become stronger. He owed it to his people. Whether it be sitting in hot weather, taking his sisters to safety, or defending his tribe from a raging storm, he was going to be a good King. He kept his hands firmly planted on his knees. His eyes he kept open, staring at Meister Jafora.

Jafora opened her eyes slowly and beheld her student. She grinned at him and mimicked his stance. By this time, the girls had gained enough strength to see what was happening. One by one, they made their way back into the heat and sat down, joining Ganondorf and Jafora. More and more they grew, until every sister was sitting in the sun, some eyes closed, others open, tempering their bodies to withstand the extreme heat.

Finally, Jafora stood up. The sun had begun to set in the distant west. She must have had the class sitting in the sun for hours. She walked around her students, tapping them on the shoulders and informing them that class was over. They each got to their feet and went inside. When Jeneeva had been excused, she walked to ganondorf and embraced him from behind, thanking him. Eventually, only he remained with Jafora.

She looked upon him, as he sat still. He hadn't moved since he had planted himself before her, save for his chest expanding and deflating. She sat down once again, looking at her student. He starred back, an intense, almost bestial aspect flickered in his amber eyes. His lips were nearly white with dehydration, but he kept his focus strong. All Jafora could do was try to match his intensity. SHe tilted her head down, kept her eyes on his. "What is your purpose, Ganondorf" She asked.

"To protect the Gerudo" he replied in a cracky voice. She stifled a smile at his answer. "Who protects you" She continued. There was no delay in response, "My people will protect me, when I cannot protect myself". "And, when can't you protect yourself?" She asked. Weakly, Ganondorf grinned. "Never". Jafora nodded at the correct answer.