Ikana Valley - Riju's pledge and the raise of the guardians

*Characters involved:*

* *Ganondorf*
* Riju*, Gerudo matriarch*
* Edu, evil Twili
* Ashana, Ganondorf's priest

####

Edu had a lot of difficulty getting to Ikana, especially
with his damaged arm, so he had to travel mostly on foot, which was both
frustrating and annoying. He actually ended up dismantling the broken arm and
putting it into a pack that was secured to his back, as he was tired of the arm
barely hanging from the metal slinging around.

Once he reached Ikana, it wasn't long before he made it to
the Castle. The guards let him in, as expected, but they kept their untrusting
eyes on him. Once inside, he weaved his way to Ganon's throne room, stepping in
silently and bowing before the Dark Lord.

Ashana

An annoyed sigh escapes from another inhabitant of the
throne room as Edu enters, a faint shuffle within the darkness of a pillar
before a figure is vaguely outlined by the light of the chamber. The figure was
tall, taller than many Gerudo, and clad in black robes lined with a dark
maroon. A deep hood if the same silken material covers the creatures head and
face, a simple collar of white akin to a priests present about her throat.

The creature does not move save to press a finger to the tip
of a grey colored chin, an almost amused gesture as the figure softly says,
"The hound returns..?"

Ganondorf

The dark throne room that Edu steps into echoes loudly. The
sound of each footstep seemingly fades into the dark abyss of the giant area,
though soon bounces off of the hard walls to create the sound of vastness. As Edu
gets within viewable range, he will be able to see the King of Evil sitting
there on his throne, slouched back casually. With his lips pursed, he props up
his chin by resting it on his palm in a seemingly bored display.

He had been busy today. The storm on the Great Bay. The
abduction of a rather large goron. The display for Marie. Yet despite the
fantastical displays of power and magical might, he doesn't appear tired or
breathless. In fact, there is a sultry smile across his face. Whatever thought he
has at the moment is pleasing him!

That is, of course, until Edu appears. The smile levels out
into a frown, his gaze shifting down to the figure. The comment from Ashana
doesn't get any response. Neither does Edu's arrival. Dragmire just looks at
Edu with his sharp eyes. Perhaps waiting for some sort of explanation.

From off to the east, down a connected passage and into a
separate room all together, something bellows extremely loudly. The crying nose
echoes into the throne room for everyone to hear. It's unclear exactly what it
is. Some sort of monster? A giant creature? The hollering is fearsome indeed --
a pained cry from someone likely wishing a clean death upon itself.

Ganondorf pays it no heed. "Yes," He finally
addresses to Ashana. "He does return. But why?"

Ashana

The screams bring a curious tilt of the head from the robed
figure, a content hum escaping her like a child pleased with a mother’s
lullaby. Curiosity seems to take the figure for a moment before their gaze
returns to Edu and a faintly cruel smile touches their lips.

"Perhaps here to report on success? Or..." They
reply in feminine tones, a hand raised to gesture at Edu palm up, "I
should not rob it of its tale, Master. I wish to see how much it values
honesty, even in failure, to you. If you will permit it, of course?"

Riju

The ground beneath a dozen pairs of feet softly crunches as
a small group of people make their way into the Valley, following its twists
and turns up the various paths to the fortress of Ganondorf. Each wore a grim
expression, with the eleven Gerudo soldiers darting their gaze to and fro in
weary apprehension. Only the middle figure, dressed in cyan and gold clothing,
seems at ease with their descent into the maw of the beast. In the cyan figures
arms is carried a chest of moderate size, while one soldier bears a white flag
upon a tall staff. The group trundles on, set upon their task before halting
not far from the guards of the fortress gates.

Ganondorf

"He was not successful." Dragmire drawls lowly to
his priest, slumping on his hand a little more in a bored fashion. "So
hence I ask: why has he returned?" He blinks attention back to Edu
directly, looking down at him from his commanding position atop the throne.

Meanwhile...

Outside the castle gates, gates guarded by a small squadron
of lizalfos. Each of them have scaly black skin, and each wear the skull of
some beasty atop their own head. These skulls range in sizes and shapes. Presumably
they are trophies of their kills. Each are equipped with a sharp looking
scimitar, along with a small shield that is fixed onto their forearm, rather
than held. As they march around the front gates, they undoubtedly catch sight
of the small group of gerudo marching towards them. Immediately they prep for
defence, unsure of what this group wants! The white flag indicated that they
weren't here for violence, but you never know...

From among them, the largest of them steps out. It looks a
foot taller than the rest, and it wields TWO swords! One in each hand.
Naturally, the skull covering his head is the biggest.

Riju

The Gerudo soldiers tense as the lizards scramble,
tightening hands on their spears as the cyan clad figure steps forward from her
protective ring to address the large Lizalfos unarmed.

"We come by the command of Lady Riju of the Cold Waters
Tribe. You will allow us passage to our King."

Her voice rings out like cold steel, no room for question or
non-compliance in her tone as she stares down the massive creature, unblinking.
Unflinching.

Spoof

The lizalfos commander assesses the cyan clad figure that
steps up to meet him. "Collddd Wateersssss Tribe?" He hisses in
response, snakey toned voice warping the words ever so slightly. While the
monster is unaware of such tribe off the top of his own head, he can clearly
see that these are gerudo. And gerudo, as he's been instructed, have a special
sort of 'clearance' should they ever need it.

"You may passsss..." Is the eventual reply given.
A flourish of his sword is made high above his head, commanding the other
lizalfos to part and lower their weapons. "I assssume we doo not have to
telllll youuu..." He starts with a smirk, watching as the gerudo tribe
begins to march in. "...what baaaad thingsssss will happen... iffff you
attack the King of Evil in his placcccce of powerrrr."

The lizalfos erupt into giggles at the mere thought of it.
You would have to be suicidal to do something like that, no doubt!

Riju

The leader of the small band nods in acceptance of the
Lizalfos's words, her reply a curt, "We are well aware."

The group wastes little time in passing the lizalfos and
making their way into the heart of the fortress, their feet taking them towards
the throne room and halting before its doors. There they leave two of their
own, each laden with the weapons they had brought before waiting for the all
clear to proceed, the cyan clad figure at the lead with her sealed chest in her
arms.

Spoof

Deep echoes and large rooms of emptiness greet the shadows
of the desert. Granted some passages are narrower than others, but the ceilings
are all high -- some of them so high that they disappear into the darkness that
the fortress seems content on keeping. The throne room doors are colossal and
made of sturdy iron. One can almost feel their weight as they struggle to open
with any sort of speed. The thick chain-links that haul it open via some
machine elsewhere grunt and groan in effort - though are successful in
providing a clear entry for the cyan clad figure.

From there a clear, maroon rug acts as a runway. It leads
directly to the seat of Ganondorf himself, though it takes a bit of a trek to
get there. Should Riju's wards venture all the way, the darkness will unveil
itself to show the King Of Evil there, along with a priest by his side and
someone else wearing a hood.

Edu

Edu raises his head up in a brief surprise. He didn't expect
the Dark Lord to immediately come out with it. He expected him to know, but
that was a different story. He knew Ganondorf saw all in Termina. Edu gives a
small nod. "I did not capture the Hero as planned. I will be the first to
admit that I had too much... Fun... Making him taste the dirt." He smiles
very slightly at the thought, before his face changes to one more serious.
"I'll repair my arm, since it was destroyed, then I'll be back out for
them soon, if that's alright with you, your Majesty."

Riju

The group approaches through the doorway, walking with
tensed and weary rigidness in their bodies as the King of Evil comes into view.
Each looks to Ganondorf's feet, not daring to look upon his face as those
behind the ambassador kneel before the throne while the cyan figure stands
upright after giving the chest to one of her guards. Her gaze sweeps over Edu,
seeming to pay him no mind before her gaze dares to wander to the King's face
as she waits for him to speak first.

Ashana

"Why should you be allowed to attempt again? Your
failure shows you are an incompeten-" Her voice cuts off as her gaze jerks
to the newcomers, a faint smile touching her lips as she continues, "We
have more guests, Master. Do you wish for them to wait in the antechamber?

Ganondorf

"Edu's primary objective was not to bring down that
band of misfits." Ganondorf corrects his priest. "Nor was he ever
going to succeed in that." Clearly Ganondorf doesn't rate Edu! ...or he
just really rates Link and his band of merry folk. Maybe both. "Edu was
tasked to put that group on a path. And it's a path that they now tread. In
that, he was successful." He doesn't actually look pleased by this notion
though. It's merely stated matter-of-factly.

While Ganondorf is about to reply to Edu with a large breath
taken, his attention shifts up to the band of gerudo marching down his red
carpet. His position in his seat corrects a little. Some posture straightens
his back so that he can lean forward with some interest. "Ho," He
greets with a devilish smile. "And what have we here...?" As they
come to a complete halt and bow, all except for one, his head tilts a smidgen.
"It has been a long while since I have had the presence of gerudo in my
keep. And perhaps even longer since I have seen them kneel so willingly."
His lips purse in curiosity, his fingers steepling in front of him in some
thought.

"Speak." He commands, eyes narrowing at the leader
clad in cyan.

Riju

The ambassador places her hands over her heart, leaning forward
as she heeds the command without hesitation.

"I bow to the divine in you, and bear the greetings and
warm wishes of Chief Riju of the Cold Waters tribe. We are denizens of the
Desert of Thunder," she begins, and no doubt Ganondorf knows that this desert
lies east beyond the Ikana Desert, connected to it and yet separated by hellish
storms.

"We have come to speak on Her behalf, that our
traditions may be followed that have been denied for too long." The cyan
figure stops to draw breath and rise upright, studying Ganondorf for a moment
in silence. "You bring a storm, My Lord. One that will wash over these
lands and bring destruction unto it that none have ever witnessed. Our Chief
asks what you will do for -your-," the word carries a good deal of weight
behind it as she says it, "people. Will you shelter them and provide for
them? Will you shelter them from your enemies should they descend upon
us?"

These words are followed by a dead silence, a hint of fear
creeping over the party as she finally swallows and nods to herself.

"Will you take the mantle of King of the Gerudo? And if
you would take it willingly, would you rule our people fairly? As those who
seek you as one of their own?"

Ganondorf

stares at the ambassador long and hard, his fingers
remaining tied loosely together - elbows placed on his legs. As the questions
are posed to him, quite boldly at that, he leans back against the back of his
throne and takes a breath. "Know this, ambassador," His eyes close in
dramatic fashion as he considers his words. "There \_is\_ a storm coming.
What you stand before now is not a King, but a force of nature. If I am to be
called a King, I am certainly not the King of the Gerudo. That's a title I
discarded years ago. I am now the King of All." His eyes open slowly, the
smile widening to give a low sounding deep chuckle. "Thus I will not
provide for you. I will not shelter you. You are gerudo," That last
comment is made with a snarking tone. "You are more than capable of
sheltering and providing for yourselves."

"I will not rule over you any differently to how I rule
over others. The only concern you need to worry about is this: If you stand
with me, as you now profess, the storm will pass over you and your people
without harm. To be sure, the desert eastward of this foul valley is of
extremely little concern to me. It is beyond my notice and care. But if you are
somehow attacked, know that your enemies will become mine." Dragmire sits
up a bit straighter.

"Stand against me? Well."

At that moment, as if scheduled or pre-planned, there is a
sorrowful cry and scream that comes from the chambers westward once more. It
sounds barely natural, as if it were a soul entangled within itself.
"...use your imagination. Heh. Heh. Heh."

Riju

The ambassador tightens her jaw, though no surprise seems to
show on her face. Most of this had been expected, it would seem, and a small
nod is given as the woman lowers her gaze.

"As it is said, so it must be." She leans over and
unlocks the chest, its gilded lid pulled back as she extracts a sealed scroll
with golden handles upon each end. Kneeling before the dias of the throne she
kneels and offers it above her head to Ganondorf. A complete and unconditional
pledge of her tribes loyalty held within. "Hail the King of All."

Ganondorf

The King of Evil rises from his throne when the leader of
the envoy pledges loyalty. The smirk on his face remains as he descends the
steps and takes the scroll himself. He was expecting the chest to be filled
with something of far simpler value, to be truthful. Gold, perhaps. Or gems.
But what is offered is of far greater value. Truly, the gerudo knew that too.

Walking back up the steps, the scroll is unfurled and read
with keen eyes. As he examines it, a gaze is drawn back to the collected group.
"Riju is far smarter than I gave her credit for. She has made an extremely
wise decision, for both herself and you." 'You' likely referring to the
gerudo tribe at large. Sitting back down on his throat in a smooth motion, various
thoughts flash behind his eyes. The scroll is placed delicately by his side as
a hand lifts to rub his chin.

"Tell me," He starts. "How many strong are
you in the Cold Waters tribe? And what of your discipline? To pass through the
storm that separates your desert and this valley requires far more strength
than what I have observed from the pirates that loiter about the waters which
surround the Great Bay coast."

Edu

Edu silently raises up, keeping his bow low as he steps out
of the throne room, and into a small room off the side of one of the halls. A
room where he had been allowed to create. He had a plan, and he sure wasn't
going to let these people get away with damaging his arm. He was going to take
them out, one at a time.

Riju

One of the two Gerudo from the hallway turns, making their
way down the isle of the chamber to halt beside the Ambassador. They are
smaller than the other Gerudo, and much younger too, though her eyes hold a
gleam of wisdom far beyond her years. "Seven thousand and growing,
strictly warriors. Twice again in normal citizens scattered about in a hundred
villages inside the storm. We are hunters and gatherers in the wasteland,
though we boast a strong host of thunderwalkers in our number. Those who
manipulate the earth and ground the lightning of the storm."

The young chief eyes Ganondorf from head to toe, hint of
apprehension betraying an otherwise calm expression.

Ganondorf

Dragmire glowers when the smaller guards have the unmitigated
gall to approach and speak to him so directly. His lips purse in annoyance.
"You will speak when spoken to, child." That may be a reference to
her shorter stature, or the fact that next to him, most are children
comparatively. Regardless, with that information he leans back in thought.
Seven thousand gerudo warriors at his service gave him several more options.
"I may have need for them in the days to come. If I do, you will
know."

The painful wails of whatever cursed being over yonder
continues. Finally, it seems, Ganondorf has heard him. That or he's just given
up trying to ignore the cries. "I have other business that needs tending.
I trust you can find your own way out." It's clear that the convoy here
were not going to be offered refuge or rest after their pilgrimage across the
desert and into the valley. With a flourish of movement he is off the throne
and striding quite purposefully to the side halls, and off into the darkness.
His footsteps echo in the long halls, soon fading as he steps out of range.

Riju

"I am chief Riju." The small figure replies, her
brow raising ever so slightly before the King of Evil can depart, turning to
her guards as she nods to them, "You all have done well, let us be
off."

Edu

steps out of the room and back toward the throne room. He
steps in shortly before they leave, a small army of about 15 of mechanical
beasts following him, the largest of them being shaped after a Chimera, and one
shaped like a Griffin. Something else to note is that he has both of his arms
now.

His attire is different now, much more like the look of a
mechanic, a grease covered headband over his forehead and his hair spiked
backwards, an apron over otherwise more casual looking clothing. His
gauntlets-like arms have glowing light green lines running across them, as
usual, but he's carrying a wrench.

After a few moments of allowing the creatures to follow
them, none of them straying from behind him, he heads out a back exit, his
creatures following him out the wide entrance into an enclosed courtyard. In
this enclosed courtyard is a collection of spider like, four legged mechanical
beasts. "Ahh, my Guardians. Just a few more preparations and they shall be
complete." He stated, a massive grin on his face. Stepping over to one of
the smaller ones, Edu begins working on the beast of metal.

Edu raises his head after a while, it being dark out by now,
letting out a breath of relief while standing up, smacking his hands together.
He smiles at what he's created, a creature of metal, one with a single eye that
can can view around in any angle. One that can fire lasers from said eye. The
Guardian is one of the smaller ones, of course, but still dangerous
nevertheless. "Come on!" He yells, and suddenly, the Guardian's body
raising up higher from its legs, mechanical arms with a massive axe of energy
in one arm and a massive sword of energy in the other.

He chuckles to himself. "Good, you'll be a perfect
test." He states as the creature folds its arms back in, its body closing
over it next. He snaps his fingers at it and points to the wall. "Go!
Chase them down!" He shouts, and the guardian quickly climbs up the wall
and away from the castle.