Chapter Ten – Cut Off

Ashekha stood before her weapons teacher, Miss Uru. The woman looked down at her with her arms folded. Only moments before, she had been practicing her techniques with the other girls. It was then that her teacher called out her name. Thinking that she was in trouble, the Gerudo girl left her classmates and came to the teacher. She now looked up into Miss Uru's eyes, awaiting whatever it was that needed to be said. The woman was silent a moment, then a tiny grin broke out across her lips. "Ashekha, sweetheart," she said. "I think you need to be in the next class for your sword training."

Caught by surprise, Ashekha just stood there. It took a moment for the words to sink in before she finally comprehended. Then finally a smile crossed her face. "Really?"

"Yes ma'am! You've advanced so much that I think you're ready to learn the next steps."

Ashekha was overjoyed. She wasn't sure what to say next. "Th-thank you!" she finally said.

Miss Uru chuckled and patted the girl's head. "No problem, kid. You'll start your new class tomorrow. It kind of messes up your schedule though, so I'm going to send you to another teacher. That way, you can keep all your other classes like normal. Her name is Miss Iulia. She'll train you down on the grounds of the fortress."

Ashekha nodded, then asked, "What does she look like?"

"Oh don't worry about that. I'll introduce you to her at dinner."

"Okay."

"That's all I wanted to tell you. You're free to return to your practice."

Ashekha turned and ran back to where she had left Usiku. The Sheikah girl was puzzled at the smile on her friend's face "What was that about?"

"I get to have my own sword training lessons!" said Ashekha excitedly.

"Wow! Really?" Usiku smiled.

"Uh-huh. And that means that I'm getting better. Soon I'll be the greatest swordsman in Hyrule!"

"Yeah, you sure will!" They both smiled and hugged. "Looks like that practice paid off."

"Yeah, really." Ashekha giggled.

"Well then, just make sure you don't slack off with that practice." Usiku advised. "You gotta keep up with it!"

"I know. I don't plan on getting lazy."

The two grinned at each other and then turned their attention back to weapons practice.

Nearly two weeks had passed and Uganguzi hadn't seen any sign of her sister. Finally she became very worried. Sitting within her room, she thought about it. The forest was far in the east, but two weeks was a long time to be gone. All she had to do was locate Lena's grave and return home. Something that simple should be handled in a matter of days. After a moment, Uganguzi thought that perhaps something might have happened to Nabooru. Quickly, she rose to her feet and headed down the hall. That man might have given her a false location that led to a trap instead. The thought of it made Uganguzi even more anxious.

She turned a corner and saw the guards up ahead keeping watch over the door to the prison chamber. As she approached, the guards all glanced at each other. The guards never did that. Cautiously, Uganguzi slowed her pace and watched them questioningly. Then one of the guards motioned for her to continue. "Please come, m'lady!" she called softly. "There's something we must tell you."

Puzzled still, Uganguzi moved forward. As she came before the guards, they all watched her, relaxing their stances. The one who had called her over spoke again. "M'lady, all of us here are nervous," and she motioned to the five other guards standing around the room. "The king hasn't been acting like himself."

This surprised Uganguzi. She knew Ganondorf hadn't been as he used to be, but hearing it said from the guards meant a great deal. "What do you mean?" she asked for good measure.

"He came with that Sheikah girl. She was just a child and he imprisoned her here for one night."

"Yes, I remember."

"Well now, he has imprisoned your sister, Nabooru."

Uganguzi's eyes grew wide. "He what?!"

"We saw him carrying her down here a few weeks ago. It looked like she wasn't conscious, m'lady."

A burning anger rose within Uganguzi as she heard it all. She was partly angry at Ganondorf for doing this, and partly angry at her sister for going to the king alone. She should have known better. Taking a deep breath to stay calm, she ordered, "Open the door. I want to see her."

"Yes, of course." The guards quickly pulled open the door for her. Uganguzi climbed down the stairs and looked around. She saw a figure in white off to her right.

"Uganguzi!" she heard her sister's voice.

She raced over to the cell and grabbed the bars, face to face with Nabooru. "Oh Din, I thought you might have been hurt or even dead!"

"I'm not surprised. What did Ganondorf tell you?"

"He said you were far east in the forest looking for Lena's grave."

"Bastard…" Nabooru muttered. "I went to him that night we figured out his plan. He tried to tell me that he was doing it all for us, but I couldn't believe it. It was like he said it all just to convince me."

"I understand, sister. We can't trust him anymore…"

"You've got that right!" Nabooru sighed. "So yeah. I'm stuck here."

"Don't worry. The guards are on our side. I can get the keys right now." Uganguzi turned to go.

"No, wait!" Nabooru reached out and grabbed her sister's arm. "You'll get in trouble if Ganondorf finds out!"

Uganguzi nodded, then pulled away from her sister. "I know."

Nabooru watched with wide eyes. She suddenly felt her stomach twist in a knot as she wondered what Ganondorf would do to her. Uganguzi was taking a great risk, but there was no way she could have her mind changed. As she returned, she unlocked the cell and threw open the door. The two sisters hugged, then headed up the stairs. The guards quietly shut the door and Uganguzi returned the keys. "Thank you!" she quietly said to the guards.

The guards all bowed. "Good luck," one said.

The two sisters then began to sneak down the hallway. Uganguzi glanced around the corner to be sure the way was clear. Even though it was late at night, there could still be others roaming the fortress. And she hoped to Din that Ganondorf wasn't about.

After several minutes, they came to Nabooru's room. They both began to pack her belongings into a bag. "You must go deep into the desert and hide," said Uganguzi, clearing out a drawer. "You'll be safe out there."

Nabooru grabbed her traveling cloak and tied it about her neck. "You mustn't let him succeed with his plan. You have to find a way to stop him."

Uganguzi rolled up a blanket and shoved it into the bag. "I can't promise anything, but I sure will try." After a moment more of packing, Nabooru was ready. She shouldered her bag and headed to the door. Uganguzi walked her to the northern entrance and led her to the gate. The guard there watched them with a questioning look.

"What is your business this late at night?" she inquired.

"She's on an errand from the king," said Uganguzi. "She must be allowed admittance."

The guard paused, then nodded. "Very well." Then she clapped her hands, signaling the gatekeeper atop the gate to begin opening it. There was a turning of cranks and the gate began lifting.

Nabooru turned to her sister. She just looked into her eyes for a moment, then hugged her. Uganguzi returned the embrace and held on tightly. No words were exchanged. After a moment, they pulled away and Nabooru began her long journey across the Haunted Wasteland. Uganguzi stayed until the dark figure of her sister disappeared into the night.

She sighed heavily and turned back to the fortress. She was unaware of the eyes that watched from a window. They glowed both red and gold in the moonlight.

It was daytime when the guards came for her. Uganguzi had left the storage room and turned a corner when a figure grabbed hold of her arm. Out of habit, she swung her arm in defense. But before she could reach the figure, another one hit her in the stomach, sending a searing pain through her body. She bent over, falling to her knees, her arms tight against her stomach. Then she heard the chilling, deep voice from above her. "Thought you outsmarted me, did you?"

Uganguzi coughed, not even raising her head. She knew who it was and that she was done for. "You're a wicked, evil man," she said as she felt the guards grab her arms again and raise her to her feet.

"On the contrary," said Ganondorf, glaring at her. "I am being quite benevolent about now. I could have had you killed on the spot, you know."

"Go to hell."

Ganondorf growled low and motioned. "Lock her up in the prison. No one is allowed to enter except me." The guards nodded and began to lead Uganguzi away down the halls. She felt a sense of defeat. How had he known that she was the one who aided Nabooru? Someone must have been watching. But who? She gritted her teeth angrily as she thought about it. She and Nabooru were the only ones who actually knew what Ganondorf was up to. There wasn't anything they could do now. As she came to the dead end where the prison was, she looked at the guards. They all stared at her with wide eyes, surprised to see her being sent to the prison chamber. She lowered her head, feeling ashamed that she had failed them all. Then for a moment, her thoughts came to rest on Ashekha. Who knew how long it would be before she got to see her daughter again? Would she ever get to?

What was to happen now?

That night at dinner, Ashekha stood amongst her friends. It felt like a usual night for the Gerudo girl. She had completed all her classes and spent her extra time practicing her sword training. Now it was time to eat. She sniffed her plate of food, smiling as she carried it back to her table. Such delicious foods as fried cucco, honey rolls and steamed vegetables made her stomach growl eagerly. As soon as she sat down, she was munching away. Usiku watched her, half grinning. "How's your food, chipmunk girl?"

Ashekha giggled while chewing on her roll. "It's good, thank you. How's yours?"

Usiku finished chewing a mouthful of cucco. "Mine's good too, I suppose. I've only had one bite of it though."

"Well mine certainly smells good!" Y'kana remarked as she sat down. She heard the conversation as she was coming to the table.

"Heck yeah!" agreed Holly, sitting beside her.

All the girls ate their dinner, chattering amongst each other for awhile until Ashekha began to scan the room. She didn't recall her foster mother being there when they said the prayer. She'd figured that Uganguzi was just busy since Nabooru was still gone. But as she looked again, she still didn't see her. The table where the king and his officers sat at had everyone present except for Nabooru and Uganguzi. She frowned a bit, then turned back to her dinner. She'd go looking for Uganguzi after dinner.

As soon as the evening meal was concluded, Ashekha took off through the halls to her mother's room. Her heart beat heavily within her chest as she walked. She really hoped that Uganguzi was alright. She finally came to the room and peered inside. All was dark and empty. Feeling her heart sink, she turned away. Where was she at? Ashekha gulped nervously and walked back down the hallway. First, Nabooru disappeared and now, Uganguzi. What was going on?

Not knowing what else to do, she ran to Ganondorf's chambers. As soon as she reached the hallway, she saw Sadik exit. The woman noticed Ashekha coming towards her and she knitted her brow. "What are doing here?" she asked.

Ashekha stood in front of the king's officer and said, "I can't find Uganguzi anywhere. I was gonna ask the king if he knew where she was."

Sadik nodded. "Oh, I see." Then she knelt down so she was at Ashekha's level. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but she's been put in the dungeon right now."

"What?!" Ashekha exclaimed, surprised.

"She had let a prisoner go and someone saw her, so Ganondorf had to lock her up for doing that."

Ashekha was still in shock and half angry. "But she wouldn't do anything like that! He can't lock her up!"

"Well, someone saw her do it, sweetie. I'm sorry, but rules are rules. She shouldn't have let the prisoner go."

For a minute, Ashekha just stood there, trying to absorb it all. It just didn't make sense to her. Her mother wouldn't ever do something to break the law. And it also bothered her that she couldn't see Uganguzi now. "When is she getting out?"

Sadik shrugged. "I can't say. It's up to the king." Then she stood up and patted the girl on the head. "I'm sorry, kid."

Ashekha nodded slightly, turning to go away from the hall to her room. Once she reached her bedroom, she promptly climbed into her bed and laid on her stomach, staring at the wall. It was only a few minutes later that Usiku came into the room. "There you are!" she said. "I was looking all over for you. Where were you?"

There was no answer.

Usiku frowned, confused. "Ashekha?" When there was no reply again, she began to climb into her friend's bunk. "Hey, are you okay?"

The Gerudo girl only rolled over, making some room for Usiku. Her back leaned against the wall now and she held her knees against her chest. The Sheikah girl sat down and watched her friend. "Seriously," she said. "Talk to me. Are you okay?"

After a pause, Ashekha finally answered. "No, I'm not okay."

"Well what's wrong?"

"Sadik just told me that Uganguzi was locked up in the prison 'cause she let a prisoner loose."

Usiku frowned. "What? I didn't think she would do anything like that."

"Me neither," said Ashekha, her chin resting on top of her knees. "But I guess she did so… Now I don't know when I'm gonna see her again."

Usiku could see how disheartened her friend was and she moved over beside her. Reaching out, she wrapped her arms about the Gerudo girl's shoulders and pulled her close for a hug. Her cheek rested against Ashekha's head and they just remained that way for a long time. There wasn't really anything to say, so they were silent. The hug was all that was needed.