The Elysium was sailing North through Anahitiian waters, trying to remain undetected by Sultan Graeo'gi's minions. They had eluded Dagrim Kvore's trap at Rovan's family home and lost two pursuing ships in the labyrinth of Rock Island. They were taking a roundabout course by remote small islands even if it added miles to the journey because they were less likely for an ambush.
Their destination was to meet with Olafur's Uncle Loean in Ishvara, but reuniting the Crew with their families was a priority. Rovan wasn't so lucky. He was still grieving alone in his cabin, staring at the walls.
Rovan walked out to his small private balcony at the back of the ship next to Olafur's. The ship was drafting next to two small volcanic islands covered in sea lions, walruses, and seals. Rovan presumed great white sharks lurked just under the surface, waiting for unsuspecting victims to go for a swim. In many ways, their journey was like the seals. Sultan Graeo'gi and his ships were out there somewhere, lurking like sharks in the shadows.
It would take a while for word to get back to the Sultan that the Elysium was passing this way, but misfortune is common on the high seas. They were sailing North and always towards the waters of Hanwi. As of now, they have only found more isolated islands.
Out here, you can sail endless seas in every direction and never see land. Or you can come upon some small, nominally island out of nowhere. The latest one to pop up didn't offer a chance to resupply. Windswept sand bars, giant dunes, marsh, and mangroves stirred with migrating birds, but little else could sustain them here.
The Elysium sailed on until it found an island to stop briefly. Some crewmen had developed a fever, and they hadn't had a chance to resupply the ship when they were on Tara. Their premature departure left them short on many things.
The next stop was a large C-shaped island that also offered little promise for medical supplies. Its rugged, high cliffs were filled in with a shallow lagoon. The only things it offered was good fishing and a tan. The size of the hills and the many coves offered places the enemy ships could be hiding, so they were always cautious about coming too close to shore.
Rovan could hear the thudding contact footsteps above him and the booming flapping noise of the wind hitting the sails. A light rain constantly hitting the top deck was lulling Rovan into a stupor. He laid down and started to drift deeper into dark thoughts as those were his only comfort.
The rain had picked up, and before long, Rovan had drifted deeper into sleep. Visuals of Rovan's dead family, covered in their blood, kept flashing in his mind repeatedly. The dreams descended into grotesque images, and Rovan's pulse raced.
The islands weren't the only ones feeling the solitude. Rovan's sleep could only last so long before torturous thoughts awakened him.
Pacing in his cabin, Rovan descended into irrational thoughts. His anger was growing and directed more and more at Olafur.
Someone was pounding on Rovan's door. It was Olafur.
"You alright? Sounds like you've had trouble sleeping." Olafur said.
Unknown to Olafur was how Rovan had been going mad, blaming everyone for losing his family. A rage like a hurricane had formed in Rovan, and he had finally found an outlet for it.
"What do you care?" Rovan accused. "Haven't you taken enough from me? Come for more?"
"What's happened? What's the matter with you? You don't look well." Olafur sympathized.
"It's your fault. if you hadn't talked me into leaving them, they'd still be alive. I'd have been there to protect them, to save them."
"You can't know that. No one could have predicted the Sultan would have reacted that way. You weren't the only one who had family they went after." Olafur said, trying to snap Rovan out of his spiral.
"And yet, I'm the only one with family buried in the ground."
"I'm sorry for what happened to your family, but this isn't how to deal with it: by pushing me away and feeling sorry for yourself."
"Your Uncle had money, mine didn't. Loean came for the other's family but not mine."
"You're not the only one suffering."
"How would you know what suffering is?"
"You know that I do, Master. I told you what happened to my parents. You're just not yourself at the moment."
"And who do you think I've become?"
"I.." Before Olafur could say anything, Rovan slammed him against the wall and looked as if he was going to hit Olafur. Olafur didn't fight back or try to defend himself in any way. Rovan seemed to understand he took it too far and released Olafur.
"I thought we'd become friends. I thought we'd become family." Olafur said.
"You thought wrong. My family is dead. Go away," Rovan said, immediately regretting his words. He thought to apologize, as he knew he was being irrational. He was in pain and wanted to inflict pain on others right now, and he knew it was wrong.
——
They finally found a large enough island in Gyoa, and there wasn't a sign of danger. They doubted word would have reached such a remote island yet. Only a few thousand people lived here. They were outlaws and outcasts in the homeland. It was a strange feeling out of place amongst your own people.
According to the ship doctor, it wouldn't be a long stop because they only needed a few things and only needed a few to go ashore. Rovan finally came out of his cabin to join the Crew rowing ashore in case they ran into trouble. Olafur and Rovan looked at each other, but they said nothing.
The small group took a long boat to a small dock and looked for a trading post. The doctor took the majority with him to get the supplies while Rovan and Olafur were on watch. Olafur was to search South for signs of trouble while Rovan went North.
Rovan was peering around buildings in the small town when he saw a church. He went inside to check for threats. He found it empty. It wasn't a huge church; it was almost one room with an altar.
Rovan's mind was in turmoil, and he thought he'd try to pray to help clear it. He stood before the altar, knelt, and folded his hands.
"Lord, how do I go on? Why do I still live while my family goes on to you ahead of me? Why have I lived through so many battles only to fail those I love most? Help to understand." Rovan prayed aloud.
Rovan continued this way, asking questions to the Source of All Things. No answers came into his mind. Nor was there any comfort.
He was a Knight in the Order of the Sun. He knew the spiritual and philosophical sides of the connection to the O element. Who was he to teach Olafur when his faith was wavering? He wondered how he could be so lost.
He realized that he needed to spend more time developing the spiritual side of his connection. He'd used his power almost exclusively for wars and fighting. He knew that he had always been a warrior first and a priest second, or never. He'd forgotten too much of his training; he'd failed his Master Akiva, failed his family, and was failing Olafur as a teacher.
Rovan heard the door to the church open, and he swung around fast with his sword in hand as he was startled. He realized it was just a Priest coming into the church.
"Seems we scared each other." The Priest said. Rovan didn't reply.
The Priest cautiously walked toward Rovan. He was a bald older man in brown robes.
"Is there a danger I should be aware of, soldier?" The Priest asked.
"I'm not a soldier; I just came to pray," Rovan said.
"That's a relief. I thought you might be here for me."
"You? Why would I be here for you?"
"I tend to say what is on my mind, and of late, it hasn't been very kind to the Sultan. We aren't that far away from Gaffar and the ears of the many spies that he has. I saw the big ship anchored and your sword, And there you have it."
"No, I'm not here for you. The Sultan has similar feelings about me. The difference between us is that I want to see the Sultan and his soldiers."
"So that you could kill them? Is that why you needed to pray?"
"Among other things."
"Something has happened that troubles you? I am a Priest, after all; I might be able to help you."
"I don't want to talk about it. I must return to searching the town to ensure it is safe."
"Oh, I can assure you that the Sultan has no forces here yet. Our only trouble is that a murderer and thief have been seen on the island. You might help us with that. Since the Sultan and Kittisek Khan have been stirring things up, strangers like yourself have visited us constantly. Some have better manners than others."
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with your problem. We only stopped to get some medical supplies. A fever has broken out among the Crew, so the doctor had us stop."
"I see. Is your friend sick, and that's why you pray?"
"No, I was just looking for advice."
"I hate to state the obvious, but if you prayed for help, and I walked in. Seems like I might have been sent in to help you."
"Or you just walked in because you live here, and it's just a coincidence."
"Only one way to find out." The Priest said, giving Rovan a suggestive look.
Rovan didn't see what it could hurt.
"Fine." Rovan finally conceded. He shook his head and tried to find the right words.
"I recently lost people close to me, and I've been struggling with it," Rovan said, trying not to tear up.
"How close to you?" The Priest probed.
"My Wife and children."
"Oh dear, that is tragic; I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry. Judging by what you said, is the Sultan to blame?"
"Yes, or at least on his orders, they were murdered." Rovan's anger was coming to the fore. He was trying to hold back the flood of emotions.
"Why did the Sultan order this? Why does he want you or your family?"
"My apprentice and I fought to defeat Tsar Miro and the Shadow Coven. We helped a man named Flaero, who has been pushing for revolution in Anahiti and Nanook. We were considered traitors because we helped him and fought in foreign lands."
"I have heard of this, Flaero. I even read the manifesto they distribute around the islands. I support the revolution."
"I don't care about revolution," Rovan snarled.
"Then why'd you fight?"
"For my Master Akiva, or so I thought. I saw what they were doing to those people. It wasn't because of revolution; I just found myself helping."
"Because you are strong, you must protect those who cannot. It is in your soul."
"I guess. If I'm so powerful, why couldn't I save those I loved most? Where is the creator when good people get slaughtered? The Source of All Things or God. Whatever you want to call it. It seems to me just sits on a throne in heaven, doing nothing but thinking of itself. Meanwhile, innocent children get butchered." Rovan said more cruelly than he intended.
"So you feel guilt that you saved the lives of people you didn't know at the sacrifice of your loved ones?"
Rovan's silence only confirmed to the Priest that he was right.
"I am just a lowly Priest; I don't have the power to connect to the O element like you. I only have my faith and a connection that is no less powerful. It is a different kind of power. I can't move rocks with my mind or anything, but everyone is tested in their way. I won't pretend to know why things happen. If I was meant to help you at this moment, all I can say, because no one can truly help you deal with grief, is that you can't know what light is without the dark. But it is also true that you can't know dark without the light. We are in dark times. You could be the one who leads us to the light. Don't abandon the world. My heart tells me that we're going to need you, young man, before this age is over." The Priest said.
Rovan's mental suffering didn't end as he left the church, but the Priest managed to quiet the storm a little.
——-
Olafur was confident that there were no signs of soldiers in the village and was about to head back to the ship. He was interrupted by a loud noise from a barn he'd just passed on the edge of town. On the slight chance it could be hiding soldiers, he investigated.
He slowly opened the barn door and heard unusual sounds. He came further in and saw a couple having sex in a stable. He was initially embarrassed, but he caught a glimpse of the girl's face, and she looked terrified. It dawned on Olafur thought he was raping her, but he wasn't sure as the girl wasn't making any noise at all, not even moving. So Olafur cleared his throat loudly, and it had the desired effect.
"Who's there? Get the hell out here." Said the man on top.
Olafur cleared his throat again.
The girl was on her back as the man had pinned her down on a pile of hay. Seeing that Olafur wasn't going away, the man got off her and quickly put on his pants. Then, the man took out a knife and began to rush Olafur with it. Olafur promptly grabbed the attacker and knocked the knife out of his hand.
Olafur was much bigger than the attacker. Olafur stood nearly double the size of the man; they were so close that Olafur made sure the attacker could feel his whole size. He had the man by the arm in a strong grip. The attacker tried to free himself, but it was like a child trying to get lose of a parent.
"What's going on here?" Olafur quizzed sternly.
"Haven't you ever seen sex before? It's just me and my girlfriend that you rudely interrupted." The man defended.
"She doesn't seem to be enjoying it."
"Why do I care if she's enjoying it?"
Olafur could see the girl more clearly. Her top was ripped open, exposing her breasts; the bottom of the dress was pushed up to her stomach, and her underwear was tossed off to the side. She lay frozen, her eyes staring at Olafur. She looked pretty young to Olafur now.
Olafur considered beating the man up, but he wasn't here to draw attention.
"Get out of here," Olafur told the man.
"I was here first; get your own girl."
"Get your things and get out of here before I tear your arm out of your socket and feed it to you. I won't be so nice if I ever see you again." Olafur threatened.
The man must have believed Olafur as the man quickly gathered his clothes and took off. Olafur went over to the girl and covered her up.
"Are you alright?" Olafur asked the girl gently, but she didn't answer. "It's OK, I'm not going to hurt you."
There was still no response from the girl.
"Do you live here? Are your parents around?" Olafur probed, but she still said nothing.
"Look, you don't have to answer. I'll be just over here if you want to get dressed."
Olafur noticed the girl's top was too torn and flapped open as she walked over by him, so he handed her his shirt. He didn't mind showing his bare chest as it was warm, and he didn't really need it. Initially, she was hesitant to put on his shirt; maybe it was too sweaty, Olafur didn't know. Then, when she did, it looked more like a dress.
"Is there somewhere I can take you? Where's your home?" Olafur asked her, but she still said nothing.
Olafur wasn't sure of what to do here. He had to return to the ship because they couldn't linger and should have the supplies by now. But he didn't want to leave her alone as the attacker might just come back later.
"Is your home on the island?" Olafur was going to start by trying to narrow down some options. The girl finally responded and shook her head no.
"So you're from somewhere else? How did you get here then? Did that man bring you here?" Olafur said, relieved that he was getting somewhere now. She shook her head yes this time.
"He brought you here? So he kidnapped you? From what island are you from?"
She didn't respond this time.
"I don't know what to do with you, but maybe my Master will. Will you come with me to see my Master? I won't harm you." The girl seemed hesitant at first but then shook her head yes.
Olafur and the girl stepped out of the barn but were met by four men, one of whom was the attacker Olafur had just let go. They were all carrying weapons.
"We'll have her back. We all have grown quite fond of her." The attacker said.
"Stay inside the barn; I'll take care of this," Olafur whispered to the girl. Then, he unsheathed his sword and presented it so they could see it as a fair warning.
"I told you I wouldn't be so nice the next time we met. I didn't think it would be so soon, but I'm glad." Olafur warned.
Olafur rushed them, and they were slightly surprised by this. He forced them into error as they didn't have time to think. Olafur had cut the arm off one, sliced two others with fatal wounds across the chest, and stabbed the rapist of the girl in the heart. They were of little skill, and he didn't have time to play around.
Olafur signaled the girl to come out, and they quickly returned to the long boats.
The doctor, Crew, and Rovan were waiting for Olafur by the long boats.
"Who the hell is that? Why does she have your shirt on?" Rovan was shouting at Olafur.
"It's not what you think, and I'll explain later," Olafur said, a little winded.
"Do you want to come with us on that boat?" Olafur pointed at the Elysium. "I can't take you to your island immediately, but we'll figure a way to get you somewhere safe."
The girl didn't respond to him and seemed reluctant to go with him.
"I know it's not the best time, but I need you to choose. You coming or not?"
She thought about it for a second before shaking her head yes.
"I guess she's coming with us," Rovan said. "What's her name? Can you tell me that, at least?"
"Nope. No idea." Olafur threw his hands in the air.
"Thought as much."
They had the needed medical supplies, and the Elysium was on the move again. Olafur was glad to see that his Master was in a better mood. Perhaps the stop did him some good.
Olafur explained to his Master and Captain Dantes what had happened with the girl. They decided to do what they could to help her find her way home, even though no one knew where that was just then. The whole Crew was also homeless for now, at least until things cooled off in Anahiti.
Olafur showed the girl to his cabin and explained that he'd sleep in the hammocks with the rest of the Crew and that his cabin was all hers.
"I can get you some food from the galley, but can you do me one favor? Tell me your name." Olafur begged.
"My name is Valen." She squeaked out after some deliberating.
"It can speak. I'm Olafur. Welcome aboard the Elysium."