Chapter Nine: Preparations of Survival
The water was freezing. Even in the desert the water kept underground was as icy as Lake Avernus in Mid-winter. She removed her brown robe and set it aside, replacing it with the Zoras Tunic, (which was awkwardly large given her height) that had been placed on the wall for her use. It did nothing to protect her from the chill. She shivered violently as she slid herself over the edge and into the cold, the heavy iron boots that had also been placed in the room for this test pulling her in. The water made her gasp for breath, she knew she didn't want to be in there long, just do what you need to and get out. The Longshot was still at her side as she floated down to the bottom. Torches lit the room above, at least a dim bit of light penetrated down the good fifteen feet to the bottom. She was insane for doing this, but the desire to be accepted in the Gerudo's eyes, her families eyes, drove her onward. Most would think that she never would want to see the Gerudo for what they did to her grandmothers, but on the contrary as many would never think, she had them to thank for the wonderful life that had been provided for her in the valley. It was not unconditional love she had for the Gerudo, but respect and pride.
After a few minutes Loraefin could make out shapes on the bottom with her. She could feel the current flowing around her, where it was coming from she didn't know, but she knew if she took off these boots she would be thrown about the cavern all right. It still amazed her that the blue tunic she draped on was really capable of letting her breath underwater (Link let her experiment with his once, which she was quite amused). She inhaled and exhaled deeply once again to test it and calm her nerves. Another gem room, she thought, seeing the glittering jewels through the darkness of the water. She started to try and devise a way to get at them, and one by one she managed to snag them from their perches. It took time, but when it was done Loraefin felt very pleased with herself indeed. The cold was really getting to her now and she knew if she didn't get out soon she was liable to come down with hypothermia and then never get out. The Gerudo would have to come in here and find and drag her dead body out of here, lovely thought she mused. She wondered if they were all still waiting outside for her.
"My warriors!" Tiamra's voice echoed throughout the hall, her authority spreading to every crack, "tomorrow we shall initiate our lost sisters into our Nation with the test of courage! The Gerudo Training Ground! Many of you have braved it, and now it is time again for its challenge!" A chorus of whoops and cheers went up around the room, tan bodies waving their arms in approval. Megeara and Loraefin gulped nervously in front of everyone feeling more or less over dressed in the midst of all the other women in their airy garb. When Tiamra finally made the Banishment known, a great uproar went up among the other Gerudo. Many were confused, some angry. "Male Gerudo?" some of them had yelled in outrage, "More likely demons from the underworld!" Megeara and Loraefin could hear the shouting from their rooms; they had not been allowed into the meeting hall for a reason. Many shouts traveled down the hall to them, most of them just confused shouting back and forth, but Tiamra's voice was always there above the rest. As the afternoon dragged on into evening, the voices subsided until Megeara and Loraefin could no longer hear them. Their door opened and Tiamra took them away down the hall. She said that the others were ready to meet them, and with that the girl's hearts jumped up into their throats. There were a few stares when they finally were allowed inside, but the majority was supportive, proud to have their children come home. It was true when their grandmothers said that honor was important to the Gerudo. They never asked how Tiamra did it, they were only thankful.
Megeara and Loraefin were 'presented' to the others and then sent off to bed to rest for the following day. It was Loraefin that alone had to compete in the Training Ground seeing as Megeara could barely stand on her ankle let alone anything else. She was frightened but all but jumping out of her skin with anticipation. She barely slept that night, her muscles twitched and the unusually hard beds were difficult to sleep on. All she could think of was am I going to survive tomorrow?
They woke her up before the sun rose the next day. They said that all Gerudo maidens go through with this ritual before their right of passage. The elder of the women, two, roughly about the age of her mother and one she recognized as Igraine, the woman who treated Megeara's ankle, stripped her down until she was bare of completely everything. There she was bathed and cleaned in the tub of warm water that was brought to the room. Loraefin felt cold in the damp, morning air and awkward being naked in front of so many people. She shivered and the women smiled at her. They adorned her body in beautiful markings that ran up and down her legs, arms, back and neck. Two solid lines were marked up each breast, their symbolism unknown to the girl but beautiful nonetheless. The coloring was dark and it carried a deep, rich spice scent that filled the room. They smeared it across her temples and collarbones, all the while humming under their breath an old Gerudo prayer for blessing. Igraine motioned her to spread her legs, but Tiamra waved her off and she nodded. Loraefin was glad to let whatever that was going to be pass. Her hair was unbound and braided in one, thick braid down her back which reached to below her shoulder blades. A loose, brown robe was slid around her figure and fastened with a white sash that wrapped around the middle. A young woman, probably even younger than Loraefin, entered head down into the room holding two Gerudo scimitars on a deep red cloth. Tiamra smiled and walked toward Loraefin, holding the blades up to her.
"Take them. These are the only things you can go in with, but with blessings from the Goddesses, not the only things that you'll take out." She fastened them into the belt that had been placed around her waist. The new weight around her hips was unexpected, but Loraefin held herself upright, staring back at Tiamra behind her painted face. She felt like it was her time to say something profound.
"I do not take on the challenge of the Ground for myself," she paused and drew herself up even taller, and for a moment, though perhaps a trick of the morning light, her rather short stature appeared giant. "I do this to prove to you that we are worthy. Today, I represent my family, and my family's honor." Tiamra bowed her head softly, not surprised in the confidence of the girl's voice. She had the blood of hundreds of Gerudo warriors before her who had each challenged the Ground in her own turn, their strength and their knowledge was flowing into her like the rising sun into the room. "I thank you for allowing me to prove myself," Loraefin spoke softly in the old Gerudo language, one that had not been practiced in many generations. The girl smiled when Tiamra stared at her and was led out of the room.
Loraefin heard something behind her though through the water it was hard to make out what, and she spun around with Longshot ready. Something she didn't see slammed into her, knocking her off her feet and free floating in the water until the boots dragged her back down again. Whatever it was hit her hard and her side ached where it had come into contact. She squinted her eyes and could just make out the shadowed figure of a Shellblade lying dormant on the floor. Her heart jumped and raced even faster. Ever since she was little she had this hidden phobia of drowning and this was not the thing she wanted to see. Just keep it together Fin, just keep it together and you'll be all right. Meg's counting on you too; down let us both down.
The Shellblade turned and opened its great gaping mouth and sprung before Loraefin could react. She tried to dodge, but the boots were too heavy for her to lift easily and its spines tore through the sleeve of her tunic. Almost automatically her breath caught in her throat and she could feel the pressure building on her lungs. She tried to inhale, but instead of being able to breathe, water came and filled up her mouth and esophagus. She was choking. Loraefin started to panic and released the fastenings on her boots. She immediately began to float for the surface, but the current took her and violently swept her around the room. She tried desperately to swim for the surface, but the current always swept her back just as she was about the reach the opening to the floor. Loraefin felt her head go light and disoriented just as she felt the sudden jolt and her body breaking the surface of the water. She gasped for air as she broke and tried to make it to the side and pulled herself up. She dropped herself on tired arms and legs and rested face flat on the ground.