Chapter Five: Renegades

Unbeknownst to Rhea, Aduni Liebesparr lived in Callim on Endoray Island. In the last year, his family of four had grown to six when he had brought back the renegades, Vanadeil Northwind and Xutoji Varess while traveling through the Borderlands. The elf and drow were wild, gambling and stealing whatever they needed. Aduni had met them when they tried to rob him. Over the next twelve months, he attempted to teach them discipline. Frustratingly, he was unsuccessful, though he always made sure both owned up to whatever misdeed they committed. Marahi was doubtful he could change their ways but Aduni remained steadfast. Taking them on his jobs, he supported his family by manipulating water currents when he voyaged with sea captains, thus ensuring swiftness. No boat he ever journeyed with had been late. But soon captains began refusing him if he brought Xutoji or Vanadeil. Aduni grew impatient and knowing of Vanadeil’s relationship to Rhea, asked him why he had left, both sitting at the dinner table.

Vanadeil looked uncomfortable, compulsively shuffling a deck of cards. “I don’t know. It was time for me to leave.”

Aduni suspected that Vanadeil was so unaccustomed to someone caring for him that he rebelled against it. “So you’ll eat my food and sleep in my beds for a while and then decide it’s time to go?”

Vanadeil stared at him. “I might, I might not.”

Aduni raised his brows, staying silent.

Vanadeil pushed away from the table, leaving the room.

Aduni sighed and stood. Hearing his wife in the kitchen, he moved into the room to take Marahi in his arms. She ignored the dishes and leaned into him, asking if something was the matter. Aduni confessed his aggravation and Marahi repeated her belief that Vanadeil and Xutoji would never change.

“You’re probably right, Marahi. But I don’t want to let Vanadeil go. Rhea should know about him. She might think he’s dead. Shall we go to bed? The dishes will wait…” Aduni said, rubbing his cheek into Marahi’s silken hair.

Marahi nodded, pulling away from Aduni. “Physically they may be adults, but their minds are a completely different matter. Mentally, they are still children.”

Aduni inclined his head in agreement, taking Marahi’s hand in his own and heading to bed.

He awoke at first light, quietly getting dressed and leaving to head for a secluded beach north of Callim. Often—especially with Vanadeil and Xutoji around—he felt the need to be alone and meditate. Walking through the awakening streets of the city no one paid much attention to the blue-haired elf. Leaving Callim Aduni followed the path to the beach, a calm breeze whispering through the palm trees. With sand underfoot, he walked to a grouping of boulders. Children had painted on some of them and he studied the pictures. Before his eyes, the dried paint liquefied. Rotating in a circle it formed a picture of Rhea.

“Rory! Get away! I’m trying to do something.” An irritable looking Rhea snapped.

Aduni waited to be noticed.

Rhea’s paint green eyes turned to him. “Sorry about that Aduni.”

“It’s all right, Rhea.”

“I know you have family…but I need you. I need friends. Xander, Willah, Aqua and even Krystal are here. You won’t want to leave Marahi, but something much worse may happen if you don’t.” Rhea explained.

Aduni exhaled. “You wouldn’t call me unless the need is great. I’ll come. Others will be with me. Vanadeil and Xutoji, a drow.”

Rhea’s brows flew upward. “Vanadeil is with you?”

“Yes. I understand that he’s been a vagabond these past few years. But he’s at my house right now.”

Rhea sighed, looking someplace Aduni couldn’t see. “Fine, bring them. The more people we have, the better. We’re on the tip of the Irraidian Thumb.”

“I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Rhea’s painted face morphed to its original state.

Aduni extended a hand, finding the paint completely dry. Turning to the ocean, he contemplated the horizon and rising sun. Inhaling he let the breath out slowly, brushing blue hair out of his face and turning back. Sometimes he stopped in Callim’s market to get things for breakfast, but on this occasion, he hurried through. When he arrived at his home, Marahi was the only one awake. Aduni kissed her quickly before heading upstairs to the room Xutoji and Vanadeil shared, leaning down to shake the former.

Xutoji groaned. “Go away.”

“Get up, we have somewhere to go.”

That roused them, both always eager to travel. Aduni told them to dress and went down the hall to kiss his children on the forehead. Going back to the kitchen, he explained the situation to Marahi. Used to her husband traveling, she simply nodded and helped him put foodstuffs into a backpack, reminding him no to forget their cloaks. Aduni took the cloaks from their hooks by the backdoor and kissed his wife once more, reminding her to lock up the house at night. With cloaks, backpack, and sword in hand he waited at the bottom of the stairs. Xutoji came down first. Liking to camouflage himself, the drow wore a shade of grey that matched his skin, though his golden eyes, the copper hair sticking out the sides of his bandana, and his rapier gave him away. Vanadeil trailed after him, wearing a tunic a burgundy color like wine, tan breeches, and black boots. At his waist were his sword and the case for his dart-tube and darts. Aduni turned out the open door, motioning for them to follow.

“Where’re we going?” Vanadeil asked excitedly once they were down the street.

“The Irraidian Thumb.” Aduni answered.

Vanadeil and Xutoji exchanged a look. “Why? There isn’t anything there.”

Aduni hesitated a little too long.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Xutoji nearly shouted, drawing the attention of people passing by them.

“Nothing! A friend will be waiting for us.” Aduni retorted.

Vanadeil and Xutoji gave him a long look.

Aduni disregarded it as they began walking along the docks. He looked for a certain ship with its signature green flag with an Endoray coin in its center. It was a merchant vessel whose captain regularly employed Aduni. The captain also owed him a favor. He spotted it at the last pier and hastened his pace. The captain was at the helm, talking to one of his crew members.

Aduni crossed the gangplank. “Captain Naimon, might I have a word?”

Captain Naimon looked up and shooed his crew member away. “Aduni! You psychedelic haired elf! What can I do for you?”

Aduni walked over with Xutoji and Vanadeil in tow. “I’m here to redeem my favor.”

Naimon’s smile drooped.

“I need you to take us a little bit north of the Irraidian Thumb. Preferably near where the Martog River empties into the sea.”

The captain narrowed his eyes. “Of course, it’s none of my business why you’re going there…Will these two be causing any mischief? I won’t be having any of that on my ship.”

Aduni glanced at Vanadeil and Xutoji. “You have my permission to throw them overboard if they do.”

Naimon chuckled and began bellowing orders. Crew members secured the lines and riggings, knowing what Aduni would do, they kept the sails furled. Aduni, Vanadeil, and Xutoji sat on the deck, observing the activity. Beginning to pull away from the dock, Naimon lumbered past them, telling Aduni to join him at the helm. The winds were calm and he stood beside the ship’s wheel. Aduni closed his eyes. Below him, he sensed the sea, how fish, whales, and sharks glided through is, how the water and the earth itself affected the position of Endoray Island, how it evaporated into the sky to become rain. All these processes he bent to his will. He guided sea creatures out of his way. He churned the sea currents, invigorating them with force. Before the ship a path of rapids formed.

“Secure yourselves!” Naimon commanded, his crew, Vanadeil, and Xutoji obeying.

Naimon guided the boat into the rapids path. It jetted forward, throwing Aduni backwards. With one hand on the wheel, Naimon caught him with the other. The Irraidian Thumb was not far from Callim and by evening, they could see it. Aduni’s rapids took them slightly north of the peninsula to a narrow strip of beach. He thanked Naimon, receiving a rough pat on the back. With Vanadeil and Xutoji, Aduni climbed into the small row boat that would take them to land. One of Naimon’s crew members rowed. Bailing out of the boat, Aduni waved back to Naimon.

“Let’s go.” Aduni said once the captain waved back.

“I still don’t get what we’re doing here.” Vanadeil said glumly, crossing his arms as they walked.

“Yeah. Who are we meeting?” Xutoji added.

“You’ll see when we get there.” Aduni replied ambiguously.

They climbed the hill and saw the tents. Aduni recognized the figure coming towards them as Xander. He raised his hand in acknowledgement. Xander lifted his in response.

“Buddy! Long time no see. How’re you doing?” Xander asked when they reached each other.

Aduni smiled at his old friend’s enthusiasm. “I’m good. Rhea said you’d be here.”

Xander scratched at the back of his head. “Oh, yeah, she’ll want to talk to you.”

“These are Vanadeil Northwind and Xutoji Varess.” Aduni said after nodding, suddenly remembering the two behind him.

Xutoji’s eyes widened at the throwing daggers at Xander’s waist. “Can I throw one?”

Xander grinned. “Maybe later.”

Aduni looked past Xander to see Rhea approaching.

“Vanadeil! You idiot! I thought you were dead!” Rhea’s voice loudly stated.

Vanadeil’s eyes grew big and he tried to run. Aduni caught his arm…