A link to the Heart Chapter 7
The interior of the Spirit Temple was as different to the outside as night was to day. Outside the worn rockface spoke of age and to look upon those walls was to see the last remnant of a dead and forgotten people. But the inside was perfectly preserved. So pristine the temple could have been built yesterday.
Kinesha marched down perfectly formed corridors fashioned of red marble and lit by flaming brands in stone scones. The floors were covered in precisely laid tiles, eerily resembling a pattern of scales and upon the walls hung silver mirrors, their round frames fashioned into evil-eyed snakes biting their own tails. Occasionally they passed pedestals fashioned into the shape of cobra's hood, holding upright tablets into which were carved lines of text. Kinesha couldn't read them, no living soul knew this forgotten language, but the letters felt threatening, as if intended to be a warning. The entire place felt unwelcoming, almost as if the structure itself wanted them to leave. She didn't know what mighty magic had fashioned this place but she was starting to suspect it was far from extinct and that troubled her. The clan had taught her to respect the powers invested into the temple, and wisdom enough to not risk offending them.
The trio had marched directly into the temple from the entrance, following a line of sand laid out for the clan leaders. The Temple was filled with dangerous traps and cunning snares so straying from the path was a fast way to die. They passed under a stone arch and found themselves entering an arena. In a bowl-shaped room lay scores of ringed stone benches, circling a flat space. The room was illuminated by a series of mirrors, reflecting daylight to cast a brilliant glow. In that achingly bright light arose a statue. It was a perfect recreation of the woman carved into the front of the temple, but this one was in pristine condition, right down to the jade headdress and the jewels lining the rings on its fingers. Even the Gerudo, a race of raiders and thieves, would not dare flinch those precious jewels for this was the oldest known depiction of the Sand Goddess, a sacred relic none would dare touch.
Kinesha blinked furiously as she entered and saw the stone benches were lined with hundreds of women in a staggering variety of attire. Young and old, fierce and cunning, but all proud and avaricious. These were the leaders of the clans, Kinesha's counterparts from the other tribes, along with their attendants. She almost missed a step as she entered, intimidated by the many glares that turned her way but she covered quickly, lifting her head and striding to where two figures were arguing on the floor. Many hostile glares followed her but the paint on her face was her armour, deflecting any hint of criticism. She walked like a queen and refused to even glance at the crowd of resentful harridans.
As she entered the two speakers stopped and looked at her, then one laughed, "What's this?! The Padwe arrive at last?"
"Late as usual," the other snapped.
Kinesha examined the pair with disappointment, for they were not Twinrova. The first was a short and rotund woman, covered in layers of gold chains and rings. She looked like a pile of gold had got up to have a walk and the chains jangled as she moved. This was Wavia, self-styled Vizier of the Utumo clan, mistress of the northern hills and merchant-princess beyond compare. She was famous for reaping more wealth through cunning trade than fast-raiding ever could and scorned those who would scatter the populations she grew wealthy off, which unfortunately included Kinesha. The other was tall and lean, boasting a face painted with red arrows and twin plaits falling over her shoulders. She eschewed fine attire, preferring a loose robe but Kinesha was begrudgingly forced to admit she made it work. She looked fierce and indomitable and even though she was not carrying her customary glaive it looked like she should be. She somehow gave the appearance of being in a fight, even when standing still. This was Lissc, Wardancer of the Jutha clan, a fierce rival but also a proud ally. Kinesha had raided alongside her on many an occasion and reaped rich spoils, though their partings had often been a tense affair.
Kinesha strode up to the pair and declared to the room, "I am leader of the Padwe and I claim my place in this council!"
Wavia snorted in contempt, "You come late to the gathering and expect us to set a place for you."
Kinesha looked down her nose at the short woman and spoke, "It is my right."
Lissc laughed aloud at that, "Tis' good to see you, more blades are always welcome!"
"Oh no!" Wavia protested, "More warmongers are the last thing we need. I won't allow it."
"You have no right to stop me," Kinesha uttered.
"I have every right!" Wavia hissed, "This folly grows too bold, I shall not allow you to start a war."
Suddenly another voice cut through the chatter, "Cease your wailing and let the girl sit down!" All eyes turned to where an ancient hag sat on a bench. She wore a black robe and had a face like a date, worn by the passing of years. Yet her eyes glowed with power and there was an aura of menace surrounding her like a heat haze. This was Old Hanne, Midnight Hag of the Estaa clan, a most powerful and respected sorceress. All quieted at the old woman rebuke and Kinesha was honoured to be waved to sit at a place next to Hanne. She sat down with Gurd and Mahee, who bowed respectfully to the hag as a squire would to a Knight. The conversation resumed as she sat and Wavia declared, "I say this is folly, war can only bring us to ruin!"
"You coward," Lissc hissed, "We have gathered all our strength together, who can stand before our assembled might?!"
Wavia snorted, "Our people are proud, but few. In open war the King of Hyrule can command armies that cover the earth like a swarm of locusts."
Lissc spat, "Their vaunted armies are slow, we will strike hard and fast and storm his castle before he can muster a hundred spears to stop us!"
"That's what the Great Jinata said, the last time we went to war. It was ruinous, our Sisters were broken on their shield walls, smashed by heavy cavalry and blown apart by lobbed explosives. We are raiders and traders, not soldiers to march to the beat of a drum. Why wage war when we can trade and grow in peace?"
Kinesha leaned over to Hanne and asked, "Have they been at this for long?"
"About an hour," Hanne replied, "It's just the warm-up though; all know their words are only hot-air. This conclave will only begin when Twinrova arrives… and here they come."
A loud crash sounded through the chamber and all eyes looked upwards as from the ceiling descended a large platform, suspended on iron chains. It was twelve feet wide and lowered ponderously into the room. Yet Twinrova were not standing upon it. Through the hole in the roof flew two old harridans, in robes of black and white. They were flying on broomsticks and circled the room as they cackled loudly over the assembled mass. Their faces were old but powerful, with hooked noses and eyes that stared widely, filled with madness. One of them trailed sparks of fire from her hair as she flew and the other left chips of ice in her wake, contrails of red and white lingering behind as they flew. Koume and Kotake, collectively known as Twinrova.
Mahee muttered under her breath, "Flying on broomsticks… a garish display."
Hanne agreed, "They always were flashy show-offs."
Kinesha was amazed by the display but their words reminded her that she was here for a reason and she clamped her mouth shut as the twins settled onto the ground and leapt off their brooms. The fire-haired one spread her arms wide and cackled, "Ho, ho, ho, I Koume welcome all to the greatest of days!"
"Hee, hee, hee," the ice-haired one concurred, "I Kotake gather you to this auspicious moment, to witness the unfolding of destiny."
The crowd reacted in confusion, some cheering their words, other jeering loudly. Kinesha rolled her eyes at their bickering but it was Lissc who shouted a question, "Why did you call us to gather?"
Kotake laughed, "The day has come at last!"
Koume agreed, "The Gerudo's destiny is at hand!"
The roar of the crowd grew louder but Wavia shouted, "We've heard it all before. Why should we listen to you now?"
Kotake glared at her and spat, "Disbeliever!"
Koume shouted, "Cast out the infidel!"
Suddenly there was a peal of thunder that echoed loudly and all eyes turned to Hanne, who scowled fiercely as she spat, "Cease your prattling and get to the point, else you shall make an enemy of me."
It seemed even Twinrova didn't want to make an enemy of the Midnight Hag for Kotake sniffed, "Very well, let us cut to the quick. We gather you to wage war."
"A war to end the curse," Koume added.
"How?" Hanne probed, "Spare us the theatrics and tell us how your plan is any different to a hundred other would-be leaders."
Kotake gritted her teeth but elaborated, "What do you know of the legend of the Golden Goddesses?"
Hanne sniffed, "It's a blasphemous myth from Hyrule. Three golden goddesses forged the world with Power, Wisdom and Courage. Then they departed, leaving behind some almighty relic. Not a very credible tale, I have to say."
Mahee muttered in Kinesha's ear, "True, everyone knows the Sand Goddess hatched the world from a jade egg."
Koume however spoke, "There is a hint of truth to the tale. There is a relic of surpassing potency in the world: the Triforce."
Even Kinesha had heard the legends of a Triforce, the Hylian's most sacred emblem, and she spoke up, "This Triforce, does it have the power to lift our curse?"
Kotake smiled toothlessly as she declared, "Indeed it does, the Triforce has the power to grant any wish the holder desires. Any wish imaginable."
That sent scurrilous whispers through the room as all debated. Kinesha too was amazed by the idea. End the curse forever, no more stillbirths, no more miscarriages. The Gerudo could be free of their greatest fear, free of the black cloud of worry hanging over every union and tainting every maid's hope. They could have sons again and Kinesha could be rid of the terror that stalked her nightmares. Wavia however argued, "I have heard of this relic and also how well it is guarded. The Royal Family of Hyrule hides it behind thick walls, mighty armies and impenetrable magical barriers. None can pass, not even the Demon Demise could claim this relic."
Lissc frowned as she wondered, "If the kings of Hyrule have had this ultimate power all along, why haven't they used it? They could rule the world."
"They haven't the spine," Kotake sneered, "They fear its abuse too greatly to dare touch it."
"But there was one who was bold enough," Koume added, "The Great Ganondorf sought the power. Not for himself but for the Gerudo nation. He wanted to use it selflessly and with a kind heart, for the good of all."
"Somehow I doubt that," Gurd muttered, "That braggart never thought of anything save his own glory."
Kinesha ignored that as she probed, "Is that where he disappeared to? Off on some failed attempt to seize this relic?"
Kotake grinned as she announced, "He didn't fail, he succeeded!"
Gasps arose and Hanne spluttered, "He touched the Triforce?!"
"He did," Koume declared, "But alas evil forces conspired to thwart him. Invidious Sages saw his coming and shattered the Triforce into three, hiding the parts in the souls of wretched knaves. Ganondorf only managed to capture a third of the Triforce, but even that was powerful enough to save us and lift the curse. Yet the Sages' wicked envy knew no bounds and they cast him into a world of twilight shadows."
Kinesha sank back in disappointment and lamented, "Then it is lost to us."
"Not so!" Kotake proclaimed, "For he can be returned unto us. The other two parts of the Triforce still roam free, they have the power to break the seals and free Ganondorf!"
"Long have they eluded us," Koume explained, "But at last the bearers come together and as they do the Triforce parts resonate. We can sense it, we hear them calling to each other, longing to be reunited. It is destined that they shall become one again, as will their bearers."
Hanne mused, "I too have felt strange currents on the winds, an unknown power stirring. It may be the Triforce, seeking to be whole."
Lissc declared, "Then we ride this very day and take it by force!"
But Wavia countered, "Just the little matter of an army in our way and well-defended castle."
Kotake however grinned, "You misunderstand our intent. We ask not for a war of conquest and control. No set-piece battles or lengthy sieges will avail us. We ask for a war of chaos and calamity, to sow fear and terror across the land."
Lissc probed suspiciously, "You do not desire conquest?"
Koume answered, "Our goal is not to overthrow a kingdom or topple a dynasty, but to draw out the bearers of the Triforce. Scatter the clans across their lands, burn, pillage and destroy all you find. Cut down their weak, their old and their young. Sow terror in their hearts and Hyrule's king will have to march forth, exposing the bearers in doing so. We will draw him from his stone castle like a Tektite from its cave and then we shall seize power to lift the curse!"
Countless whispers arose at the declaration and Gurd grumbled, "They speak not of a raid for spoils and prisoners, no honourable clash of warriors, but a massacre of the weak and helpless."
Yet Kinesha leapt to her feet and shouted, "The Padwe shall be the first to pledge to this cause!"
Astonished gasps flew through the crowd as Kotake laughed, "Ho, ho, ho, an eager one."
"Hee, hee, hee," Koume sniggered, "But are you eager enough? Can you do what needs to be done?"
Kinesha refused to be browbeaten as she lifted her head and pronounced, "There is no deed we wouldn't perform to be free of this torment, no road too stony if it leads to the end of the curse. Promise only that you shall lift the shadow from our wombs and the Gerudo shall ride under your banner!"
