Chapter II
Ganandorf stood in the corridor, watching as the warriors trained. He wasn't supposed to be here, he knew that well. But he couldn't help it. He wanted to fight, to train, but his mother said he was to young. Not till his first D'kumran. He did not want to wait that long, but he could not disobey his mother. It was by her power alone that he still lived. Had she not been the High Warrior, he would surely be dead and buried by now.
So he watched. He watched their slow, mesmerizing movements. They had a cat-like grace, and snake-like reflexes. The pace began to pick up. The movements became faster, more complicated. The swords flashed through the air, and it seemed that the silvery blades were in multiple places at once. The movements accelerated to brake-neck pace, and never once did the warriors miss a beat. Years of training, years of perfecting the art went into this. The Gerudos were often said to not have a particular religion by outsiders. That was not true. Battle was their religion. The thrill of battle, the adrenaline rushing through their bodies; that was what the Gerudos lived for. And he would have that. Ganandorf vowed then and there he would have that. He would be the greatest Gerudo, nay, the greatest warrior ever!
High Warrior Nataru sat in her chambers, with faithful Samoora by her side. She watched Samoora. The young Gerudo warrior strived to be the best. She took on every challenge that came her way, and when she could not overcome it, she would go into a depression, sometimes lasting weeks at a time. Headstrong. That was the perfect word to describe her. It was part of the reason she had taken her on as her official retainer and bodyguard. It wasn't as if she needed one - she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. It was rather to benefit Samoora that she appointed her. Samoora needed molding; shaping. In time, she could become one of the greatest warriors ever. She needed to learn that she could not do everything first, though.
"People are talking more than ever now, Highness," Samoora said suddenly. "At this rate he won't see his first D'kumran."
"Don't worry, Samoora. All will be taken care of in time." She smiled at her young ward. Then her expression turned more troubled. "But something could still happen to me Samoora."
"Surely you don't know of some assassination attempt, Highness!"
"No, no, Samoora. I don't know that anything will happen at all. But it might. And I want you to make me a promise."
"I am yours to command, Highness."
"No Samoora, this is a choice of your own. I want you to promise that if anything ever happens to me, you will take care of him for me. Promise me this, Samoora."
They stood there, looking into each other's eyes.
"I promise."
"Thank you, Samoora."
It was a very dark night. Near the entrance to the valley, a lone cloaked figure stood shrouded in darkness. They were completely invisible to anyone who wasn't looking at that direct spot. The figure was a troubled person. This new child - Ganandorf, he was called - was not right. He was a male Gerudo, being treated just like he was a warrior. How could Nataru expect anyone to accept him? It was simply not right. And something would have to be done about it.
Slowly, another figure made it's way through the darkness. Then another. Eventually, a total of five figures made their way to the meeting place. When all had arrived, they removed their hoods. All five bore a tattoo on the back of their neck, hidden from view. The tattoo showed a snake, grabbing a bird of prey out of mid-air. The Vipers, they called themselves. They would strike fast, and none would see them when they left.
"We have a new goal, ladies," the head, and original figure said. "This Ganandorf must be done away with- at all costs."
"I agree," another figure said. "This is simply not the way things should be.
"We share sister Koomara's views," two others said in unison.
"Well. That leaves only one." The leader looked toward the last figure. "Samoora?"
The last figure hesitated, and then nodded slowly.
"Good. We will begin preparations at once." The leader smiled an invisible smile in the darkness. Everything was going as planned.
Ganandorf stood in the corridor, watching as the warriors trained. He wasn't supposed to be here, he knew that well. But he couldn't help it. He wanted to fight, to train, but his mother said he was to young. Not till his first D'kumran. He did not want to wait that long, but he could not disobey his mother. It was by her power alone that he still lived. Had she not been the High Warrior, he would surely be dead and buried by now.
So he watched. He watched their slow, mesmerizing movements. They had a cat-like grace, and snake-like reflexes. The pace began to pick up. The movements became faster, more complicated. The swords flashed through the air, and it seemed that the silvery blades were in multiple places at once. The movements accelerated to brake-neck pace, and never once did the warriors miss a beat. Years of training, years of perfecting the art went into this. The Gerudos were often said to not have a particular religion by outsiders. That was not true. Battle was their religion. The thrill of battle, the adrenaline rushing through their bodies; that was what the Gerudos lived for. And he would have that. Ganandorf vowed then and there he would have that. He would be the greatest Gerudo, nay, the greatest warrior ever!
High Warrior Nataru sat in her chambers, with faithful Samoora by her side. She watched Samoora. The young Gerudo warrior strived to be the best. She took on every challenge that came her way, and when she could not overcome it, she would go into a depression, sometimes lasting weeks at a time. Headstrong. That was the perfect word to describe her. It was part of the reason she had taken her on as her official retainer and bodyguard. It wasn't as if she needed one - she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. It was rather to benefit Samoora that she appointed her. Samoora needed molding; shaping. In time, she could become one of the greatest warriors ever. She needed to learn that she could not do everything first, though.
"People are talking more than ever now, Highness," Samoora said suddenly. "At this rate he won't see his first D'kumran."
"Don't worry, Samoora. All will be taken care of in time." She smiled at her young ward. Then her expression turned more troubled. "But something could still happen to me Samoora."
"Surely you don't know of some assassination attempt, Highness!"
"No, no, Samoora. I don't know that anything will happen at all. But it might. And I want you to make me a promise."
"I am yours to command, Highness."
"No Samoora, this is a choice of your own. I want you to promise that if anything ever happens to me, you will take care of him for me. Promise me this, Samoora."
They stood there, looking into each other's eyes.
"I promise."
"Thank you, Samoora."
It was a very dark night. Near the entrance to the valley, a lone cloaked figure stood shrouded in darkness. They were completely invisible to anyone who wasn't looking at that direct spot. The figure was a troubled person. This new child - Ganandorf, he was called - was not right. He was a male Gerudo, being treated just like he was a warrior. How could Nataru expect anyone to accept him? It was simply not right. And something would have to be done about it.
Slowly, another figure made it's way through the darkness. Then another. Eventually, a total of five figures made their way to the meeting place. When all had arrived, they removed their hoods. All five bore a tattoo on the back of their neck, hidden from view. The tattoo showed a snake, grabbing a bird of prey out of mid-air. The Vipers, they called themselves. They would strike fast, and none would see them when they left.
"We have a new goal, ladies," the head, and original figure said. "This Ganandorf must be done away with- at all costs."
"I agree," another figure said. "This is simply not the way things should be.
"We share sister Koomara's views," two others said in unison.
"Well. That leaves only one." The leader looked toward the last figure. "Samoora?"
The last figure hesitated, and then nodded slowly.
"Good. We will begin preparations at once." The leader smiled an invisible smile in the darkness. Everything was going as planned.