Olafur stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the sunset. With every wave they crested over, they got further from Anahiti and the Sultan. The dying light of the day meant that the world was passing from one phase to the next. Olafur hoped that was true for the crew of the Elysium as well.
They had gone from war and hardship to racing to save their families. Some were not so fortunate. But they were sailing the cool currents en route to the coasts of Hanwi now. They would have to circle around the Pakal peninsula into the Bay of Altifir to reach their final destination of Ishavara, but it would be in friendly waters.
Instead of enemies hot on their trail, Olafur only saw Humpback Whales, Marlin, Schools of Tuna, and Dolphins. These creatures only saw their ship as a curiosity. The Dolphins were like children as they used their bow waves to play games. It brought a much-needed smile from Olafur.
It was as if the crew could take a collective sigh of relief and breathe fresh air once more. Olafur's Master, Rovan, would never be the same. Physical wounds can heal, but the wounds Rovan endures can only be lived with.
Olafur didn't know what to make of Valen. Her situation couldn't have been worse when he encountered her. She now had the chance to start a new life away from her misfortunes. Olafur immediately felt his big brother instincts kick in, even though he knew nothing about her.
Olafur had given Valen his cabin so that she could have privacy, but she hadn't come out since they got on board. Olafur would knock on her door to see if she was alright or needed something, but she would only pass a handwritten note with instructions under the door. She mostly was asking for food. Olafur would leave the food in front of the door and walk away. She must have come out because the food would disappear, and empty plates would remain.
Olafur could understand her wanting to be left alone, especially as she was the only girl on the ship. He wasn't going to let her remain in there the whole journey. He had questions to ask and wasn't going to take a handwritten note to answer them. Besides, she needed to get some fresh air.
Olafur didn't know why it bothered him so much that she wouldn't come out. Perhaps it was because he didn't have much else to do but stew on all his questions for her. Rovan wasn't coming out of his room either, so Olafur was left to his own entertainment. The crew was busy with work. Olafur also wanted to use his private toilet again; he hated having to wait in line.
Olafur's impatience got the best of him as he banged on her door.
"Valen, you in there? I've got some questions for you, and I'm not going to accept a note. Would you come out?" He said more aggressively than he intended.
Olafur didn't hear anything and was about to yell some more when the door opened a little, and a small face poked out cautiously. She was like a rabbit, unsure if there was a predator around.
Olafur backed up some to give her some room. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk. Will you come up to the top deck so we can get some fresh air and sun? It smells down here."
Valen shook her head yes and followed him up to the top deck. The other crew stared at her but quickly went back to their work. They went to the bow fro some privacy.
"What island are you from?" Olafur asked. Valen didn't answer.
"We are heading to Ishavara. If you told me where you're from, we might be able to drop you somewhere that helps you get back home. OK?" Olafur was getting upset.
"If you don't wish to speak, I can name islands, and you can just shake your head. Are you from Anahiti?" Olafur started.
Valen shook yes.
"We'll start with the big islands. Are you from Gaffar?" Valen shook no.
"Are you from Zehra like me?" But again, Valen shook no.
"How about Asta? Are you from Asta Island?" This time, Valen shook yes.
"Asta. Good, now we're getting somewhere." Olafur said, pleased with himself, but it was short-lived. "We won't be going anywhere near Asta any time soon. Do you have family still there?" Olafur probed, but Valen shook her head no. The question must have stirred something as she looked emotional all of a sudden.
"Did something bad happen to them? Something those men I killed did to them?" Olafur asked gently.
Valen was welling up with tears but shook her head yes.
"No one on this ship is like that; you are very safe with us. You are very safe with me." Olafur tried to comfort her. He didn't want to ask more about all the details around how she ended up with those men far away from her island and family but he could assume the worst.
Valen was still wearing the shirt that Olafur had given her to cover up. He wondered if another crew member might have a more appropriate piece of clothing for her.
"I'll get you some different clothing. You wait here." Olafur said, hoping she wouldn't disappear.
Olafur found the smallest crew member and asked to borrow some of his clothing. They weren't fancy, but they were fresh and clean. He was surprised to see that Valen had waited as instructed. He handed her the new clothes and waited as she went to change.
She shyly walked back in her new duds, which seemed to fit her better. She had rolled the bottom of the trousers up as they were a bit too long, and the short sleeves of the button-up almost looked like long sleeves on her.
"Feel better? I'm glad you didn't go back to hiding in your cabin." Olafur said.
Valen didn't say anything back.
"There's something you should know. We are wanted men." Olafur warned, and this revelation seemed to concern her. "No not like those men who did bad things to you." Olafur tried to comfort her. Valen looked like she was backing away. "You see, they think we are traitors."
Valen halted her retreat and was listening.
"We went to fight a Tsar in Ishvara and defeated him. As a consequence, Sultan Graeo'gi labeled us traitors. Our families escaped to Ishavara, and we're sailing to meet them." Olafur summarized.
Valen seemed to relax again once she understood the details.
"We'll be in the waters of Hanwi soon, if not already, and safe from any danger. But it's why we can't take you back to Asta. Maybe someone in Dhara can take you. We have many friends there." Olafur explained.
Valen once again said nothing.
"In the meantime, I should teach you how to defend yourself a little. I won't be able to save you every time you're in trouble. I won't get any sleep if I send you back out into this world again." Olafur said trying to get Valen to react.
Valen said nothing.
Olafur held out his fist, "I teach you."
"You still have a few things to learn yourself." A booming voice said from behind Olafur. He spun around and was surprised to see his Master.
"Master, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough," Rovan said. "I wanted to talk to you."
They moved just a bit further away from Valen, but she could still hear them.
"I wanted to apologize for how I acted before we went to Gyoa Island. I had no right to blame you for things. I'm sorry." Rovan pleaded.
"No harm done. No reason to say you're sorry." Olafur tried to play it off.
"No, I was wrong to act that way. A Master is to set a good example for his pupils, and I have been sorely lacking in my duties. I've been hiding in my cabin instead of with the good people of this crew." Rovan confessed. "There's something else you should know."
"What?"
"When we get to Ishavara, I won't be staying."
"What do you mean? Where are you going?" Olafur said, concerned.
"I'm going to find a way back to Anahiti."
"Anahtit? But you'll be in danger. What are you going to do there?"
"I'm going to spend the rest of my life hunting down the men who are responsible for my family. Even if I die in the effort." Rovan stated.
"But you won't get very far. They'll arrest you and put you in prison." Olafur warned.
"More likely they'll kill me. They won't find it so easy to do."
"This is madness. At least let me go with you." Olafur offered.
"No. You're ready to take the trials to become a full-fledged Knight. It will be the last thing I do as your Master. But you belong with the others. You have a bright future. My life is over. I have but one mission left."
"Don't talk that way, Master. The world needs you more than ever. I need you."
"You are what the world needs." Rovan encouraged. "I am a shell of a man. My future was taken from me."
"What about Valen? She needs to get back to Asta Island. We can take her together, and then we can look for the men who killed your family." Olafur proposed.
"No! I'll stay with you," Valen said. "I don't want to go back to Asta."
Olafur was surprised to hear Valen speak.
"You hear she wants to stay with you. That's another reason for us to split ways in Ishavara. You have her to look after," Rovan said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Nobody agreed to look after anyone." Olafur said, uncomfortable with where this was heading.
"Yes, you did when you saved her," Rovan said, pleased with his apprentice.
"I'm glad I could help her, but I didn't think it would last forever."
"Not forever. Just until she's ready."
"How long is that going to take?" Olafur asked, annoyed.
"I seem to remember someone coming to Tara and asking me to teach him. I didn't want to do it either. Now, the universe is asking you to help someone. Strange how things work out." Rovan said amused.
"You haven't finished helping me." Olafur pointed out.
"There is little more for me to teach. You have all the tools required to be a great warrior and Master. You only require experience and a little more confidence in your abilities."
"I have all the confidence. You say I have too much confidence." Olafur joked.
"You have arrogance. Which is different from confidence. This is what keeps you from a deeper connection to the O element."
"See, this is why I still need you."
"You only need to remember to let go. Surrender fully. When you do that, you'll find everything you will ever need. As I keep telling you. It isn't you and your connection. You are what is blocking and obstructing the connection to The Source of All Things. Once you remove the "You" from the equation, surrender totally. You will become like the wind or a storm. Completely doing the will of the universe." Rovan explained.
"How do I remove myself from the equation? I will always be myself." Olafur asked, confused.
"By eliminating desires and wants. Just be."
"How do I do that exactly?" Olafur still struggled to grasp the concept.
"That is something you'll have to figure out on your own. You alone can do it. That is your trial. When you pass that test, you'll be ready to be a Master. As for a Knight, you only need to pass one more challenge," Rovan said.
"And what's that?"
"To let me go."
Olafur was disappointed in the answer. Mostly because deep inside, he knew it to be true.
"You should properly introduce me to your new friend so I can train her right. What kind of punch were you trying to show her?" Rovan chided.
"Valen, this is Master Rovan. You can trust him."
But Valen hid behind Olafur.
"What did you do to the poor girl?" Rovan asked.
"I didn't do anything." Olafur defended.
They were suddenly interrupted by a crewman shouting, "Ships on the horizon. Man, your stations."
Olafur found a spyglass and climbed up to the crow's nest.
"It looks to be ships from Hanwi. A whole fleet." Olafur shouted.
These would be friendly ships to the Elysium, but they looked like they were heading to war. Regardless, they remained ready for battle.
Captain Dantes ordered a white flag to be hoisted and had the ship turn to expose its broadside, a gesture suggesting they were not looking to battle. It was like a wolf showing its belly to the Alpha of the pack.
The Hanwi fleet encircled them, and a scout ship was sent forward to inspect them. The crew of the Elysium remained on edge, worried that this could be a trick or that a misunderstanding could lead to their destruction.
The scout ship seemed satisfied that it was safe, and an envoy of three ships came near them. A long boat was lowered and filled with a boarding party. The Elysium welcomed the party on board. Olafur recognized King Ohdakota was among them.
Spotting Rovan, King Ohdakota relaxed. "Rovan, you don't know how glad we are to see you." The King greeted them.
"What brings you out this way? It looks like you're heading to war." Rovan said.
"Unfortunately, we are." The King informed them.
"What's happened since we left? We had heard of the possibility of war breaking out, but we kind of forgot all about that." Rovan admitted.
"Kittisek Khan has been attacking the borders of Hanwi. My Queen and children have been called to Mazatl to defend our nation. We sail to block the fleet from Anahiti from joining them. Our nation won't stand for long if they do." The King explained. "What is your mission?"
"We were heading back to Ishavara to reunite with the crew's families," Rovan said.
"Rovan, you are an incredible warrior. This ship and crew have proven to be elite—possibly the best crew sailing any waters. We could use your help," The King said, making his intentions clear.
"I can't speak for the crew, but I have no interest in fighting for Kings and leaders anymore. No offense. I have no one left to fight for. I fight for myself now. My only mission is to find those responsible for killing my family. Dagrim Kvore and Sultan Graeo'gi are my only enemies." Rovan said.
"Then we have a common enemy. I tried to negotiate with the Sultan. When we heard that Graeo'gi might be uniting with Kittisek Khan, I sent a messenger to Gaffar and the capital of Lalji. I was hoping to avoid war. All that I received back was my messenger's severed head. I am sorry that you lost your family, but if Sultan Graeo'gi's fleet joins with Khan's, Ishvara won't be safe either. I have made a pact with Chancellor Flaero. Qamata, Ishavara, and Hanwi are in this fight together. Join us." The King pleaded.
The crew of the Elysium broke out into an argument as they disagreed on whether or not to join the fight. Many understood that even if they reached their families in Ishavara, there might not be anywhere safe for them to go. Only stopping the fleet from Anahiti could give them a chance.
Olafur supported fighting, but Rovan did not. Captain Dantes gave a speech that swayed more crew members to the side of fighting. It wasn't that Rovan objected to taking on the Sultan and his fleet. Rovan was worried that he'd be sidetracked by battles and the interests of King Ohdakota. He wanted to fight the Sultan on his own terms and not be limited to the orders of another.
Eventually, it was agreed that the Elysium and its crew would join the fleet from Hanwi. They'd change course and head for the Great Reef, trying to cut off the Anahitian fleet from reaching Hanwi waters and, more importantly, keeping them from reaching Mazatl.
Due to the fact that Olafur's uncle was heavily involved in the shipping industry, it meant Olafur had an extensive knowledge of ships. He was given King Ohdakota a briefing.
"Kittisek Khan and the ships from Nanook are built for scale. They believe bigger is better. Their cargo ships are massive, their warships are massive, but they are slow and have limited maneuverability. They can take heavy damage, so they are perfect for siege warfare. Unfortunately for your city, Mazatl." Olafur was explaining. The King and his advisors knew as much but were letting him continue.
"Anahitian ships are small and built for speed. We rely on our superior sailing skills to compensate for our disadvantages. We are good at coordinated attacks. Fighting Khan's ships is like taking on a large, angry blue whale, but fighting the Sultan is like taking on a pod of killer whales. The fleet will be smart, fast, and work well together." Olafur finished.
"Our fortunate fate of encountering the Elysium is already paying off well. A crew of Anahitiians to give us some insights into the thinking of our enemy could make all the difference. How do the crew feel about fighting their own?" The King wondered.
"Our families have been threatened and some killed by these leaders. The crew is not confused about who the enemy is. There will be no conflict of interest if that is your concern." Olafur stated.
Rovan was planning his own course. He was setting his sights on Dagrim Kvore and the Sultan. He would destroy any ship that got in his way of finding them. He wouldn't hesitate to leave the Elysium behind if it meant an opportunity to seek revenge. Olafur didn't have to be told by Rovan his plan; He knew his Master well enough.
As for Valen, Olafur didn't know what to do with her when a battle would break out. She was kind of stuck in the middle of all of this now. She had little choice in the matter now.
"Do you understand what is happening?" Olafur asked Valen.
She shook her head yes.
"I want you to stay by Captain Dantes when the fighting breaks out. You can't stay by me. It will be too dangerous. Do whatever the Captain says, and don't be a nuisance." Olafur told her, but he felt bad at the suggestion she might be a bother.
"You understand? Stay with the Captain." Olafur instructed.
Valen shook her head no.
"He will protect you. You trust me, and I trust him. Just listen to me this one time." Olafur said, realizing that he genuinely cared for her safety. The truth is that there wouldn't be anywhere safe on the ship in battle. Olafur was certain that Valen had seen and experienced many terrible things in her young life. There was nothing he could do about it as she would have to endure more.