Chapter 57: Only Choice

A cold and salty breeze blew over the river. It sent a chill down Ganondorf's spine. He shut his eyes and let the wind envelop him. The last time Ganondorf had set foot on this river he had been alone, moving in the dark lest word of his activities went back to the Hylians. But now he rode in the open, an army at his back. He wore his black armor and sat atop Storm, making certain all the world was able to see where he was.

One of his mothers' earliest lessons it is always easier to trick your enemies when they believe they know precisely what you are doing.

WASTEFUL COWARD. GIVING UP ON OUR DREAMS.

Ganondorf opened his eyes as the wind died down. Never a moment alone when one had their failures to keep them company. Still, enjoy the moment's pleasure, as brief as it is. He nudged Storm forward until he reached the beach. Nab's scouts had been correct, the water of the bend was low enough for horses to walk across, though not comfortably. But the attempts to get even an empty wagon across proved futile. Bethe had taken Nabooru's position in the vanguard and she had done an admirable job setting up the crossing for the rest of them. A dozen ropes hung across the water, letting soldiers and horses pull themselves along. By the end of the day, the crossing should be over. The vanguard and main force had already made it to the other side, and Bethmasse already led her soldiers ahead, clearing the way for the rest of the army hopefully leaving at first light tomorrow.

As soon as they reached the Zora the sooner he could clear up the last of his great sins. The girl, the sapphire, and the Lord of Waters. It would have been such a simple elegant plan. Shame to undo it. But at least if he managed to get the child out alive, perhaps that would quell any doubts about him that still lingered.

"Dessi," Gan found his commander standing, hands on her hips overlooking her workers. "How goes it?"

"Sav'aaq," she waved to him before twisting back into position. "Not as well as I'd like."

"Oh? The rafts look sturdy enough." Which itself was something of a surprise. The Gerudo army could do many things. They were the best in the world at the raid and bow. Second only to the knights of Hyrule in the charge. But building rafts? Most of them had never even seen this much water in one place before.

"They're built fine. It was finding good wood for them that was the problem. We're missing about a fourth what I wanted."

"We can make do with that number," he looked out over the laborers and sighed. "And are you ready?"

Dessi frowned and looked up to him. "I'll be ready when it happens. Don't much like it though."

"You don't have to like it. But it is necessary. Do your work right and this will be the last of it."

Dessi shrugged, clearly unconvinced. And in truth, Gan wasn't certain he spoke the truth either. After all, his plans with the Dodongo and Lizalfos had gone wrong. Whose to say the Lord of Tides would not also attempt to betray him? This was a dangerous move, if it worked the war here could be ended. If it didn't. Well, Gan would make certain that the Octorok could not cause too much damage. "And how was coordinating with the new vai?"

"Tagoma? I think she's struggling, but shows promise."

"Good," Gan looked across the river to his newest honor guard as she patrolled along the opposite bank. "It is not easy to be plucked from the line and suddenly given command of the midguard. I would have preferred her learning under you or Bethe first." He sighed and slipped off Storm. "Can't be helped." In truth he would have preferred overall giving the task to Mulli or to Jocquelline. But Mulli was with the ancestors, and Jocquelline burned by sun sickness had stayed at the Oasis. Still too weak to join the armies when the matron's called for them.

So many he had ruined for a failed dream. And how many more just to keep himself hidden?

"Where you going?" Dessi asked as he started walking down the slopes to the sandy banks.

"If we have fewer rafts, someone will need to speed them up." Gan enjoyed the press of his boots into the thick sands of the shore. As he strolled forward some of his soldiers openly stared at him or gave a quick salute. He nodded to those he saw working hard, stopping at two of his people struggling to push a raft into the waters. Their heels turned up sand as they grappled and grunted, but the raft didn't budge.

"Need help, sisters?"

"Look Hylian," one of the soldiers said as she turned around. "We aren't your sis- My king!"

Gan couldn't help but chuckle as the vai went red as a setting sun and pounded her chest in salute. "Calm yourself, no harm done. Still, let me help you here." The front of the raft had sunk deep into the sand. The more they pushed at the back, the deeper it went. "I think if I can lift the front, we can get it moving." He got to his knees and scooped away sand, trying to create a smoother path for the raft. Then he dug his fingers deep until he could cup them beneath the wooden planks. "You two, push on three. One. Two. Three."

He heaved and grunted, pulling the weight of the raft and the wagons tied upon it as high as he could. The vai shoved it forward. It lurched, and caught upon the new lower ramp of sand Gan had dug and slid forward. With a yelp of joy the two slid it smoothly into the waters.

The one that had snapped at him grabbed a pole and ran forward leaping onto the raft. "Thank you my king!" She waved as she pushed the pole into the water dragged it back, keeping the raft moving toward the ropes and the other shore.

POINTLESS. BENEATH US.

Gan let out one long breath as he watched the raft drift away. "Come on." He tapped the other worker on the shoulder. "There's more to do."

They made good time. Ganondorf bounced between the groups of workers, tying down the wagon wheels for one, then helping shove the rafts into the water for another. Taking someone's place completely when he thought they needed a breather. After little more than an hour, Ganondorf felt the sweat pooling under his arms and running down his back. But Nabooru had been right. In the last war he had earned his respect by taking the most difficult tasks on his own shoulders. Sharing meals with his vai, taking watch, and showing that a king earned his place.

And it felt good, rubbing shoulders with his people. It almost made him forget why he was really there.

The rise of the water was imperceptible at first, masked by the waves and the splashing of rafts. It wasn't until half of the beach was beneath water that Ganondorf even noticed it had begun. He looked up the river. In the distance, white foam and small rippling bubbles streamed across the surface. Growing closer.

"Dessi!" Ganondorf called. "Dessi! They're coming!"

KILL.

The water on the beach rolled back. Some of his people slipped and nearly fell into the river. Ganondorf grabbed the nearest one and pulled her up. "Go sister! Get the commander!

The foam and ripples rose into a wave. A wall of water as tall as Ganondorf himself, with dark shapes swimming within it.

"Get back!"

The warning horn blared. The shrieking cry of the Gerudo answered it, but too late to protect the rafts.

The wave smashed into the wood. In an instant they were gone, hidden by the crashing waters. When the wave dispersed several rafts were shattered, others had their wagons torn from them or were missing their guides. In their place Bari swarmed, lashing at what carts remained with their tendrils, pulsing with the energy inside of them.

"Archers!" Gan roared as he leaped from the shore to the nearest of the rafts. He landed hard on the wood, sending it rocking from his weight. Water splashed around him, he crouched and gripped the side to avoid slipping about. Before him one of the jellyfish grabbed at one his soldiers, pulling her from the raft and forcing her screaming into the water.

He scrambled forward, leaping from one raft to the next as he summoned his sword. With a mighty swing he severed the creature's tentacles. Blue blood bubbled up as the creature screeched. Ganondorf reached into the water and tossed the soldier back onto the raft. But there were more, so many more.

THEY DO NOT MATTER. KILL.

Someone screeched, their terror cut off as the water filled their throat. Gan looked about trying to find the source, but there were far too many who needed aid. He went for the nearest, a soldier trying to pull her sword loose from the tangling arms of the Bari as it glowed with deadly light.

Gan swung down, severing some of the creature's tendrils but not enough.

"Let go," the vai shouted. "That's my grandmother's sword. Give it back, monster!"

"Drop it!" Gan shouted to the young soldier. "Get out of the water. Drop your sword!"

But the vai would not, she hissed and spat trying to wrench her weapon free. Only for the creature to pulse again, latching itself up her arm.

LEAVE HER

"Drop your sword!" Gan reached down trying to grab the vai by the back of her neck. The water around the Bari hissed and crackled. The vai screamed. The monster's lightning shot up Ganondorf's arm, all the muscles in his hand tightened into a claw. His arm shot back. The vai thrashed in the water, her head convulsing as she sank.

Ganondorf reached back out, witch-fire erupting from his undamaged hand. The darkness enveloped the Bari and its strange light. Gan plunged his hand into the water and pulled the soldier out. Where the tendrils touched her arms, the skin bubbled up or was completely burned off. Her eyes were open but they stared out empty. Dead.

KILL THEM KILL THEM KILL THEM

"Loose!" Dessi called from the shore. Dozens of arrows flashed through the air and plunged into the water. Most sunk only a foot or two deep before losing all momentum or turning from the current. If they struck anything it was only to bounce off the fleshy sacks of the Bari's skin. Only a slight few would hit the water at the right angle or reached a target too close to the surface.

But not many. Arrows would not be enough. Dessi knew what to do. But how many would die before it worked?

Ganondorf dove into the water. Ignoring the screaming rage and doubt in his head, he found one of his people trapped unconscious in the undertow, thankfully no monsters near her. His armor sunk him to the bottom, he pushed off the mud and swam to her. Every movement grueling from the weight. When he reached the vai he grabbed her under the arms and managed to turn about and push off the ground.

When he reached the rafts, the Bari had taken notice. He tossed her up onto the raft, her eyes flickering open as she sputtered and coughed.

"Are you-" before he could pant out the rest of his question, tendrils wrapped around his leg and torso. He shouted as he was pulled beneath the waves.

Gan spun about, seeing the creature glow and crackle with lightning. He roared, but only bubbles spewed from his mouth. Pushing himself off the ground he thrust his fist toward the creature. Slow. Weak. He had never tried to fight beneath water before. But the jellyfish did not avoid him. His fist connected with the fleshy sack, and he called his witch-fire.

Whose magic is stronger Bari? That which runs in your veins or mine?

The Bari glowed. Gan's arm crackled with strange energy. Fury and pain danced together. The creature tried to wrap around Ganondorf's throat. The lightning burned, or was it only him? Waves of black fire pulsed in the black water. Stronger, deeper, more powerful and deadly than any beast of the sea. He was Ganondorf Dragmire, and this creature was beneath him.

He pulled his arm free of the carcass, raised his head and breathed deep of the salty air. There were more beneath the waters. There had to be.

"Release!" Dessi shouted from the shore.

I'm too late.

First came the blinding light. On the surface of the water, the Goron's weapon erupted. Before the sound reached him the force of the explosion did. A wall of air that would have knocked him off his feet were he not swimming. Then came the water. A wave made not with magic or the tides, but the shear force of the bombs rocked into him. Pieces of Bari that had been near the weapon flew through the air or carried along the new rapid current.

Gan smashed into the raft. Rushing water filled his mouth and nose sending him sputtering and coughing. Unable to do anything but watch.

"Load!" Dessi shouted on the shore. Beside her a small catapult had been wheeled onto the sands. Several teams cranked the catapult's arm and filled it with a mass of bombs all tied together. They lit them each in a blaze of motion. "Release!"

The cluster hurtled into the air and splashed onto the waters. Several of the wicks were doused upon their impact. But only one needed to keep alight.

GLORIOUS.

Fire and death blasted into the water. Gan grabbed onto the raft and pulled himself close. A hand took hold of him. The Gerudo he had saved. She gripped him, her head pressed down so all she could see was her eye, utterly afraid as the waves rocked them again.

"Load!"

By the third explosion even the mindless Bari fled. By the fourth the battle was over. When the water died down, he trudged to the shore. Water poured out of his clothes and armor, splattering as he collapsed onto the sand.

Several hands found him and rolled him to his front.

"Give him some air," Dessi shouted. "My king, are you wounded?"

"I'll live," he said and wiped his eyes.

She embraced him angling her mouth at his ear and whispered. "I didn't know you were out there. What were you thinking? This was your plan!"

"Saved one of them."

"Madman," Dessi pulled away. "I'm sorry, Gan. Nabs isn't here to say it and someone must. There were few out on the rafts. The attack was short, I doubt we lost more than a dozen."

"But now we lost one fewer." Gan shut his eyes and let his head flop back into the sand. Almost over.

The meeting place was a beach less than two miles away from the camps. When they reached it, Gan nodded to Dessi. She sighed, signaled to Freggia and the two slunk out back into the grassland above.

Ganondorf sat down on the shore and waited. He waved for his companions to do the same, though only a few joined him. Others preferred to mill about, glaring out over the water or checking their weapons. The sun was low, and as the wind picked up Gan shivered, still remembering the chill of the water that felt all the colder once the heat of the battle had worn off.

If they had a fire, he could have stayed like that for hours. Though that comfort was impossible, at least those he was to meet were punctual. The tide rose bulbous eyestalks popped out of the water, followed by heads of red and blue and purple.

Gan stood up and raised his hand in recognition to the Octorok.

The nearest of them pulled their head a bit further out of the water and spoke in a voice of squelches and gurgling wet grunts and moans. "Was the kings, glulp, satisfied?"

"I was. I hope the battle did not see too many losses on your side."

"Only two-sgluuuggp- bari wranglers. Unimportant."

That did not sound correct to Gan, he had killed two himself. "There had to be more than that."

"Only two Octorok -lssplipt- Bari are animals. Do not count-plibbt."

"Hmm," he had lost more. Ten had been the final count, all drowned or burned by Barri's lightning. But it could have been eleven. It was no fault of the octorok that they lost fewer than him. They had not betrayed him as King Dodongo tried. He should celebrate that his deception was almost at an end. And yet, he could not help himself but hate that his people suffered more than them.

"My master wishes," the creature ducked its head underwater, streams of foam and bubbles surrounded it, before it raised its head again. "Ploooosh- to know what is next."

"Tell the Caller of Tides that he is to leave, claiming it was fear of the new weapon the Gerudo demonstrated in this battle. That way if any of your people are taken by Zora scouts or skirmishers they have an excuse."

"Master does not understand."

"It is not his place to understand, but to follow."

"The Zora- squickt- are weak. Their champion. Gone. Victory if we invade -splep- in full."

"That is not my wish. Does your master need a reminder of what happened to Moqut the Thrice-Cursed? Or the armies of King Dodongo?"

"No."

"Then I expect to be obeyed."

"Your promise?"

"I vowed that the rivers will be yours, and I mean to make that so. But new information has come which delays our plans somewhat." With any luck, delayed long enough that the octorok's cohesion will fall apart and they will fall to infighting instead of seeking further trouble.

"But how long to wait?"

There was a shout from somewhere behind him. Followed by the unmistakable sounds of someone being struck and a small fight ensuing. That other side of him laughed in satisfaction, and Gan himself could not help but smile. "I understand the Caller of Tides will not be happy but let me put any apprehension to rest. The game is still being played."

From the dark, from the tall grass above the beach three figures approached. Two warriors with one dragged between them. Gan gave Dessi and Freggia a warm smile and tapped his chest in respect for them as they dumped their captive at his feet.

"I didn't do anything!" the merchant shouted, hands up, half-shielding her face as she cowered. "I was just curious. I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything."

"I seek understanding. One of -slurg- yours?"

"No," Gan squatted down to get close to the woman. "But she's pretending to be. This one's a Sheikah. You know them?"

"We do."

"I'm not!" she wailed in perfect Gerudo. She even had the accent of the eastern clans. And the fear in her voice, that sounded real. "I'm not. I spit on them. I curse them. I do. I- I shouldn't have followed you. I was just curious. I didn't mean-"

Ganondorf struck her, sending the captive spiraling into the sands. "You've already lost. Even if you weren't a Shiekah, you've seen too much. I could not just let you leave. Wouldn't you rather face your end as yourself?"

The merchant spat into the sand before turning back around to glare at Ganondorf, her lip cracked open and a bruise forming on her cheek. "How did you know? What gave me away?"

"I suspected since the first moment I saw you."

"How?"

"You bowed. It was quick. You caught yourself and stopped, but that was enough."

The Needle hissed something in that snakelike tongue the Sheikah have, likely a curse of her own stupidity or at Ganondorf's expense. "Then why didn't you kill me earlier?"

"Well, I could always be wrong. Perhaps you were just some Gerudo merchant who spent too much time trading with the Hylians. Gotten used to scraping before every lord that passes by. Besides, if I just kill you, they'll send another."

"Hmm."

"Do you have a name?"

"Sidaj. I don't suppose it matters now."

"Well, Sidaj, how many messages have you sent and who are your carriers?"

The Sheikah glowered at him, clearly thinking of a hundred ways to skin him alive. A soon to be dead person's name meant nothing. But to give up other Needles? Only the most loathsome of Sheikah would consider such a thing. And say what you will about this one. She seemed to have some thin shred of dignity to her.

The octorok did not find her silence admirable and spat. "If she doesn't talk. Kill her."

"Patience." He studied the vai a moment longer. Stoic, a fierce expression to her, but there was something in her eyes. The way she did not look directly at him. Never waste a tool that still has some use to it. "The Gerudo believe our ancestors watch over us. Guide us. But you know that."

Sidaj's expression shifted momentarily to confusion, but she did not look up.

"I think that's why I've always been comfortable around death. What we do, who we are, that lasts. When my sister's die I sing their names so they know I still think of them. And when I die I know that I will be able to hold my head high when I meet the kings of the past. The Hylians, they have the goddess that gave them their name, don't they? They believe that their souls meet with Hylia or the Three and they will be judged, given rest, before they return to the world. But what do the Sheikah believe, I wonder?"

This time her eyes flickered up to meet his, but only for a slight terrified moment.

"Well Sidaj, I need you to think what happens to you. Because I'm going to offer you a choice. There is this spell my mother's taught me. I've always disliked using it. Killing someone, that's simple. They go to their goddess, or they join the ancestors. They're still who they are. But I've seen what happens to people when their mind is taken from them. They still live, but soulless. All their works in life washed away. Back in the war, against even the most bloodthirsty knight, I always gave them a quick death even if they deserved far worse. I wouldn't use this spell. But you're a Sheikah. I've seen the magic your people use. I know that you deserve no such pity."

He stood up and summoned his sword to his hand and placed its edge on the woman's shoulder.

"Just do it already!" she cried, her shoulders shaking. "Stop toying with me and do it."

"You haven't heard your choice yet. Because I'm giving you one, Sidaj. Which do you want to keep today? Your life or your soul? You can't have both."

"What kind of sick choice is that?"

"A fairer choice than any of my people were given by your inquisitors." He pressed the blade into the vai's skin, just enough to draw blood. "Choose. Life or soul?"

"What happens if you cast your mother's spell?"

"Well, if your spirit is strong enough. Or if you're lucky you can always break free. But it's a risk. Still, the only chance you have, truly."

She swallowed and closed her eyes. Shaking her head. Shivering, as if she didn't trust herself to speak.

"Well then," Ganondorf signaled to his soldiers. "I guess I'll choose for you. Pull her down!"

Dessi grabbed one of the Sheikah's arms and Tagoma another, pulling her down and pressing her face into the sands. Another stepped on the prisoner's back, all while she writhed and screamed, trying to get herself free.

Ganondorf grunted and raised his sword high, letting Sidaj see the blade that was going to be her end. "Enjoy whatever comes next for you."

"No! No! Life! I choose life!"

Author's Note: So, I try to send a thank you message to those who write reviews. Positive or negative, it's good to know people are reading and are moved enough to comment. And quite frankly, it helps keep me motivated writing a story that has well ballooned past what I thought it would be. But there are some people I cannot send thank yous to. So, I'm doing it here. To Guest, Wow, and James Birdsong thanks to the three of you. It means a lot.