Wow, it's been a while! Oh well, next chapter will be very interesting, I promise! Hopefully, I might have it done by tonight, tomorrow at the latest.
29th Entry: A Vacation- The Rebellion
January 25th, the 7th year in the reign of King Ganondorf I
Dear Diary,
The past nine days have been...interesting, in the least.
In the time I spent at the fortress, I trained side-by-side with the Gerudos. They were all very supportive, especially Kira, and did their best to help me along as quickly as possible with my sword and self defense training. If anything, I learned that I am horribly out of shape, my aching body as a constant reminder.
Apart from the exercises, I actually enjoy staying here. After morning exercises, I help Kira manage the horses, making me feel right at home. Around noon we take a break for lunch, one of the few breaks I get the enitire day. The food all has a strange flavor (they call it 'spicy'), and though it takes getting used to, it's quite good. Once lunch is over, I practice archery in the Gerudo training grounds. Although my skills were (and still are) considerably...eh...lacking as far as my ability with sword goes, everyone was quite impressed by my skill with a bow and arrow, on horseback no less. Heh, I set the archery challenge record yesterday (you should have seen their faces...that record hadn't been beaten in fifty years).
Now...on to the real reason I'm writing. Over the course of the week, I heard quite a bit of talk about Ganondorf and how his life plays into that of the Gerudos'. Whenever a male in born among the Gerudos, it is ancient tradition that he is to be their King. Up until now, the Gerudos have been loyal to that law, despite being completely disgusted with Ganon's rule. For nearly eight years, they have secretly planned a revolt, but their would-be-leader, Nabooru, has been missing for quite some time. Appearently, she traveled across the desert to the Desert Colossus seven years ago and never returned. Several attempts were made to find her, but all eventually turned back in fear.
"One cannot simply navigate their way through the desert." Kira told me at one point. "North and south have no meaning, the sand and wind block out the sun, confusing even the wisest sage. Even if one does make it to the shelter halfway through the desert, if they do not possess eyes which can see past the lies of this world, they will go no further. The guide will not appear to them." Spooky, eh? She also said that Nabooru was the only Gerudo, aside from Ganon, that ever reached the Colossus.
Now, on to the real, real reason I'm writing.
Last night I woke to someone shaking my shoulder. Kira stood by my bed, her face only distinguishable by the light of the lantern she held in her hand.
"Come, Malon, we must make haste!" Her voice sounded urgent, chasing any thought of sleep from my mind. "Get dressed, and come down to the meeting room, do you understand?"
I nodded, pushing myself out of bed. Kira set the lantern down on my desk and left. I could here her waking the girl in the room next to mind. Quickly, I dressed in my Gerudo uniform, grabbed the lantern Kira had left, and made my way outside and into the hall. As I walked down the long corridor, I could see other Gerudo's coming out of their rooms as well, shaking their heads and rubbing their eyes in an attempt to wake up.
Once inside, I noticed that none of the guards were present, only those who take care of other responsibilities such as Kira and I. The meeting room is one of the largest rooms in the fortress, usually only used for official business. Three large bookcases sit against the northern, western, and southern walls, each containing books outlining the various guidelines and laws of the Gerudo people. A large table sits in the middle of the room, and several cushions to sit on lay scattered about. Taking a seat on one of the cushions near the back of the room, I looked about the room searching for any clues as to what this was all about. After a couple others filed in, Kira came in as well, and took a seat behind the table, facing all of us.
"One of our scouts reported in earlier tonight." She began. "She gave word that a calm in the wasteland is approching, followed by a massive desert storm. She also reported, that if we are to try and retrieve Nabooru, this would be the ideal time." Kira paused. "I have already decided that I will go. I would not ask someone to venture on this journey when I myself would not. However, I do ask that someone accompany me on this journey." She fell silent, allowing the others to discuss the situation at hand. Several opted out, believing their presence to only to hinder the mission. One near the front spoke up.
"Why now? Why is it so important that we go this very second?" She asked.
Kira frowned, not at the girl, at something else. "Ganon's reign has lasted too long. We need to find Nabooru as soon as possible." She gave a sigh, and a silence fell over the room. I don't know what came over me at that point at the time, for all I know it could have been a lack of sleep, but for whatever reason, I stood up.
"I'll go." I said, proud of my sudden burst of confidence. Too bad I was shot down faster than a one-winged cucco.
"No." Kira said firmly. "I appreciate the thought Malon, but there's no reason for you to take any type of risk. Stay here, wait for the Hero to return."
I sat down, defeated. "Stupid." I thought to myself, embarrassed by the specticle I had just made of myself. As time went on, more and more people declined going, until no one was left at all. Kira appeared slightly disappointed, perhaps by the fact that none of her comrades were willing to assist her in such an important matter. Shaking her head, she stood up.
"Well, then...umm, since no one else seems to be able to go, you all may go back to your rooms. Hopefully...I'll be back by daybreak." She said unsurely. People rose silently from their seats, one by one returning to their rooms. As I made my way to the door, I looked back at Kira, making eye contact with her. She gave a slight smile, as if to tell me everything would be all right.
I just hope it will be.
-Malon Astira
