Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series)

by J. C. Fiske

  The strange workout continued into an odd array of squat thrusts, more breathing, followed by strange sit-ups, until finally it seemed Roarie was ready for the final exercise. Boys and girls quit trying to stand on their feet and resorted to lying on their backs, wracked with pain.

  “Good! You may remain in your lying positions for the final exercise of the day, the bridge!” Roarie said. Gisbo thought it sounded good so far as he let out a sigh of relief. Anything that started by lying down couldn’t be too bad.

  “This exercise will be the final one we do each and every day, increasing the time each day so you will eventually be able to hold this position for hours,” Roarie said.

  “Lay here for hours? I can do that.” Grandfield moaned.

  “This is one of the most controversial exercises around and will work EVERY single muscle in your body, but it will supply various benefits including increased metabolism, adrenaline rate, muscle growth, etc. We will hold this for about thirty seconds today. Now do as I do.” In a great show of athleticism, Roarie arched her back from the ground in a sort of gymnast stance as she held her belly in the air, arching her entire body into an upside down U with her hands and feet planted on each side to support her. Grandfield shook his head and let his mouth hang open.

  “WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?” Grandfield whined loudly. “You kiddin’ me?”

  A few seconds were what most of the girls could achieve. Their flexible bodies managed to at least hold themselves upward. The boys couldn’t even make their backs rise more than a foot from the ground. They fell in pain, slapping their backs against the mud beneath them.

  “Well, boys and girls, that does it for day number one! Congrats! You may now return to your housings and I will see you first thing tomorrow!” said Roarie as she turned and walked away with a wave, but nary a glance backward. Her class however did not do so. They all lay on the ground heaving hard, muscles twitching. A snide Renegara Nazarite conjured a large black rain cloud over the group as the older group walked away. Gisbo heard Ranto laughing hysterically.

  “I’ll kill 'em, I swear I will . . .” Gisbo stated weakly.

  “For once Gisbo, I agree.” Rolce said from a few rows down. The rest of the Renegas muttered in agreement through moans. Not one of the boys and girls moved as the rain poured down, washing the sweat and dirt from their weakened bodies. At least day one was over.

  Chapter Ten: The Sybil

  After lying in the drenched field for another ten pain filled minutes, the class managed to vacate the field. Gisbo introduced Rolce to Shaved and Grandfield as they all made their way to the bank and grabbed some tarries for lunch.

  “That lady is a bit evil, eh?” Shaved mouthed as he collapsed into a chair outside a food stand that read, “Renegade Joe’s Steak Hut.”

  “A bit? She IS evil! I thought I was going to die and never . . . Ohhhh steak, how I’ve missed you!” Grandfield crooned as he began digging into his meal without utensils.

  “We got about ninety five tarries left now. Do any of you guys have jobs yet?” Rolce asked as he began picking at his food.

  “Sure do! I just got Grandfield a job with me. I think I may be able to get you guys jobs too if you want,” Shaved offered. Rolce and Gisbo beamed.

  “Really? What is it that you do?” Rolce asked.

  “Well, to make a long story short, turns out that my dad is a Renegade and he thought it would do me some good to grow up humbly. So, just like you guys, he sent me away from here. It’s been quite a shock getting reacquainted with a family I never knew existed, but, at the same time, I’ve felt like something in me has been filled. I’ve always felt something has been missing, something was never right. It’s been so unsettling, but ever since I came here, it’s gone. This was it apparently. I can’t wait to see what else is in store, but anyhow, the job. Well, my father, and I use that term loosely, I know him just about as well as you guys do, is a renowned engineer as well as a blacksmith. I’ve always loved machinery myself and I'm quite the grease monkey. Makes sense really, so I pretty much had a job set for me soon as I got here, but I bet I could convince my Dad to take on a couple more for, you know, cleanin’ up around the shop, basic stuff like that,” Shaved said as he bit into a crisp apple.

  “That sounds great! You really think you can land me and Rolce jobs?” Gisbo asked.

  “Oh yeah, shouldn’t be a problem, we can all go right after lunch. I’d love to show ya around the shop, but I’m still learning the area myself. Grandfield hasn’t even seen it yet, so yeah, guess we’ll learn together. And don’t worry, it's not a far walk from here,” Shaved said with a smile. Grandfield's face lightened up a bit upon this realization.

  “Yeah, it turns out Groggo and Shaved’s dad, Davison, are great friends. They purposely put us together in the town of Hooksett way out in the east. We became friends on our first day of school without even realizing it was meant to be. Pretty weird, huh?” Grandfield said, chewing. Rolce and Gisbo looked at each other as if remembering Falcon’s comments earlier about knowing what was pre-determined for them.

  “I grew up beside this kid my whole life and we didn’t even talk to each other until yesterday. Weird,” Gisbo said, jerking a thumb at Rolce.

  “So, where is the third member of your synergy?” Rolce asked. Shaved and Grandfield met each others' gaze with amused smiles before answering.

  “Well, he’s, ah, a bit of a character. He was totally convinced he was going to nail a lunch date with not one, but a couple of the Renega girls he has been eyeing,” Shaved said.

  “Jeesh, guy works quick, huh?” Gisbo asked.

  “Oh yeah, guy works fast, I’ll give him that much. I’ll bet you anything though that he’ll be joining us in a few minutes,” Shaved said with a smirk.

  “Alone,” Grandfield added in. Sure enough, not even a moment later, up walked a boy in Nazarite attire. He had dirty blonde, thinning hair, with a distinct widow's peak and big green eyes. He sat down at their table with a huff of frustration.

  “Right on schedule! I present to you Knob Brawlda. Knob, this is Gisbo Falcon and Rolce Moordin. Heh, so how did your dates go?” Grandfield inquired with a sarcastic air.

  “They were all right, both chicks were just out of their mind crazy, not my type, but it's ok because I got like two others lined up for tomorrow,” Knob said with an assured smile. Everyone at the table rolled their eyes, unbeknowst to Knob.

  “Hey, you’re that guy who got torn up by Roarie today! Ain’t she something nasty, huh? You got dangles, man! She’s quite the babe though, when you look past those wrinkles,” Knob started until Grandfield cut him off.

  “You’d go after anything that moves! Show some discretion!” Grandfield exclaimed as he scarfed down more food with his hands.

  “The day I show discretion is the day you go on a diet, pal. Thera wasn’t meant to spin backwards, don’t ya know,” Knob countered as he attempted to grab a stray chicken wing from Grandfield's plate, only to be attacked by a sharp fork barely missing his hand. It seemed the utensils served as a means of defense only.

  “Well, good luck with the uh, ladies, Knob. Fill us in later. I gotta take these guys down to my Dad’s shop for a bit,” Shaved said as he rose from his seat and the others followed suit.

  “Yeah, I’ll see ya. Tell your dad I’ll show him some of my designs tomorrow,” Knob said. “He should be impressed!”

  “I’ll tell him. Later!” Shaved said. They cleaned up their area and made their way down one of the side streets from the commons.

  “Designs?” Rolce asked.

  “Yeah. As much as the kid is a goof, he is a real genius when it comes to engineering stuff. He grew up where we were too, but we hardly ever saw the guy. He spent his days cooped up in his room just . . . drawing stuff. Machinery, schematics, you name it,” Shaved said.

  “Hm,” Rolce said. The boys passed shop after shop until they stopped at one labeled, “Ern an’ Dave’s Mach Shop.” They made their way inside and were rewarde
d with the sight of many kinds of swirling knick knacks, weapons, skeet swords, various breeze harmonics and a host of other odd contraptions that all made sputtering and whirring sounds. Suddenly, a small black cat ran forward and pounced up on Shaved's legs.

  “Hey there, Driver, miss me, buddy?” Shaved said as he bent down to pet it. “This is my Boon. He’s a baby black panther, pretty cool, huh? I actually found her up in some machinery yesterday. Dad was going to start it up, woulda friggin’ fried her if I didn’t get to her first. Probably wanted somewhere to stay warm during the night,” Shaved explained. “Oh, and Grandfield got a boar! Saved it from the kitchens, pretty weird huh? Out of all the meats, pork is something he’s vowed to never touch again,” Shaved said as he picked up his furry friend and scratched behind its ears. The cat purred and closed its eyes at Shaved’s touch.

  “WHAT!? That’s so not fair! We nearly died getting our stupid Boons! How did you get yours?” Gisbo asked, looking at Grandfield.

  “I tried to sneak in and find some food last night in the kitchens and there he was, all tied down, ready to be slaughtered into meat when I saved the little guy. He’s back at our place. So what did you guys get?” Grandfield beamed.

  “I got an eagle and Gisbo here got a wolf. Sounds like you guys had a much easier time then we had! It’s a long story though,” Rolce said.

  While Rolce and Shaved chatted, Gisbo began walking around the shop and stopped to admire a large sword that looked a whole lot like Falcon’s. It was a big berserker sword.

  Gisbo slid his hand along the gleaming front and he heard a voice behind him. He spun around to see a man standing before him in his mid fifties with thick black hair and wearing Berserker attire. His face was a weathered tan with deep wrinkles and his wise green eyes gave the impression of all-knowingness.

  “That right there is a Talon Sword, a Dave an' Ern Specialty. Well, mostly an Ernie specialty and . . .” The man stopped as he realized who the boy was in front of him.

  “Ah, hey, Dave! Come get your fat butt out here and see who has dropped in!” said the green-eyed man. Upon command, a tall, rather large man, especially around the belly, walked out. His head was bald on top and white hair frizzed out in all directions around the sides and ran down in a thick white beard.

  “Ohoho! If it isn’t Falcon’s boy, Gisbo! And look there, Moordin’s boy too! Wadaya know,” Dave said. He then whispered something in Ernie’s ear as Ernie nodded with a smile, gazing at Gisbo.

  “How is it you know my name?” Gisbo asked, a bit surprised.

  “Because we’re Dave an’ Ernie, that’s why, my boy! We always get the gossip on the new Renegas each year; plus Moordin and I go way back. So what can we do for you? Little too early to purchase your first weapon, isn’t it? I’m sure Roarie would kill me if I let you purchase one so soon. Pretty positive, actually.” Dave sounded a little worried, but he chuckled to himself in a deep laugh.

  “No, Dad, not anything like that. I was just wondering if you and Ernie could take on a couple more workers for the shop. I mean, it’s a lot of work just for me and Grandfield and we thought they’d be perfect!” Shaved pleaded. Dave and Ernie looked at each other and went into a quick huddle. The boys saw them whisper something, then Dave nodded and Ernie shook his head. Dave gave Ernie a whack to the side of the head and a few moments later, they were both nodding.

  “We have decided to take on two more workers for the benefit of the Ern an' Dave Mach Shop!” Ernie announced with pride. Gisbo and Rolce both grinned and breathed a sigh of relief. It felt good to know they had a means of supporting themselves now.

  “I’ll be expecting you both to arrive at the shop four days a week, after you get some rest and food following your morning sessions. Difficult stuff, I know, and I don’t need you four slacking off when there's work to do! Much work! Get it? Got it? Good,” Ernie said, crossing his arms. All four boys nodded and Dave smiled down at them.

  “Take care of yourselves now, we’ll be seein' ya!” Dave said with a wave as he and Ernie dropped behind a curtain into the back of the shop.

  Gisbo and Rolce said their goodbyes and returned to their tree house for some much needed downtime. Upon their return, both Boons greeted them excitedly. Fao ran around Gisbo’s legs while Harpie tweeted and ruffled her feathers, begging Rolce to pick her up.

  “I suppose we’re all set for a while, huh? Now that we got our jobs,” Rolce said with relief as he collapsed into a chair. Gisbo did the same.

  “Ugh, letting my muscles relax was a bad idea, pains coming back, ouch, ouch, ouch,” Gisbo complained as he slouched lower in his chair with a groan.

  “I’ll take the pain. Life is pretty grand right now. We both got jobs, we made some friends and we are now official Renegades in training,” Rolce said, smiling to himself while gazing towards the ceiling.

  “Renegas in training,” Gisbo corrected.

  “Right, my mistake. I’m gonna go relax and have myself a nap. Wake me up before dusk will ya?” Rolce asked as he rose from his chair, stretched and climbed up to his bunk and instantly started snoring.

  Gisbo picked out one of the raw steaks Falcon had left from dinner the night before and tossed it to Fao, who dug into it happily. He pulled out the book on Vadid the Valiant and started reading.

  Former Warlord, Vadid the Valiant, arguably one of the most powerful men in Thera’s history, was renowned for many things. An avid traveler who strayed from home at a young age, ignoring his social obligations, he shocked his royal parents by marrying a Naforian woman of no status. He won numerous prizefights and titles and was a strong and dedicated warrior, rumored to be trained by the highly secretive Renegades, warrior elite and personal guard for Vadid as Warlord. The Renegades have never offered their protection to the Warlords of old, which means Vadid must have been an extraordinary exception to the rule.

  After the tragic death of his father, he united not only his country, but a world torn by prejudice and fear in the fight against Drakearon. After his victory, he went on to rule over planet Thera, ushering in a time of great peace and prosperity.

  However, five years later, he vanished without a trace, leaving his two sons in a battle for power. The man who had once united a planet was now shrouded by dark shadows and curious accusations of a double life. It was rumored his power was greater than any mortal man could achieve, but days before his disappearance, many witnessed him talking to himself, pacing in lonely circles and staring into a mirror for hours on end. Did this power come as a cost to his sanity?

  Even more curious is that fact that much of Vadid’s writings and correspondences disappeared with him. Many believe it to be the work of the mysterious Renegades, who disappeared shortly after Warlord Vadid. Only a few letters remain, the most notable, a letter to an unnamed friend, containing his thoughts on the beginning of the Great Veil War:

  I am a believer in democracy; the will of the people, but the veil has become too thick and our people too foolish. They flock to Drakearon’s lies of security through him, rather than their own hearts. The people of Thera have failed to see their own digression and rather saw it instead as progression. My people have neglected their responsibilities and taken peace for granted, never realizing from whence it came. In turn, the fires in their hearts are gone, along with the belief in fighting for what is precious. They would instead run towards those who preach comfort if only they offer their souls. This evil, this Drakearon, is like nothing I have ever witnessed . . .

  We will pay dearly for this complacency, my dear friend. My heart aches for my people. The war progresses and passive souls have been slaughtered or worse, become slaves. A cancer has filled the land and it spreads and it hungers for everything. But there is hope. In the valleys, to the snow tops, to great oceans and forests, a battlecry is rising. Slowly, the people are beginning to realize that although they may not believe in violence, there are certainly those that do and they are always willing to preach. The will to fight is returning once more . . .
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br />   Gisbo sat back in his chair, thinking hard on what he had just read. The greatest champion of Thera had disappeared? The very same man who had written his favorite poem had lost his mind? No sooner had he turned the page to find out more when it happened.

  Rolce’s body began to convulse wildly in his sleep as he shook the wooden bed frame. Gisbo looked up and Harpie started squawking in worry as Rolce yelled out, “No!” and “Don’t do it!”

  Gisbo dropped the book and bounded across the room and desperately tried to wake his friend. After several shouts and smacks, Rolce awoke, drenched in sweat. He grabbed Gisbo’s arm and squeezed it tightly, staring around the room, lost in a daze. Gisbo thought his arm might break in half from Rolce’s brute strength when he suddenly eased off and released it, panting like a dog.

  “It’s him, Gisbo! I saw him! Our missing synergy member! I saw him just as clear as I see you now!” Rolce gasped through heavy breaths.

  “Take it easy, pal. Just a little nightmare,” Gisbo said.

  “NO! I saw . . . killing . . . I saw a boy killed! He was our age! They treated him like, like he was worthless,” Rolce said wincing, close to tears.

  “Alright, alright, slow down, Rolce. How do you even know it was him?” Gisbo asked.

  “Because, he was the spitting image of Foxblade! I know it was him, Gisbo, I just know it,” Rolce said, calming himself a little. “I’ve never seen someone die before. It was like I was right there above them, looking through a skylight window. Like I was a crowd member, a witness to the whole thing,” Rolce continued.

  “Are you sure it wasn’t just a nightmare? I mean, I’ve had this recurring dream as long as I . . .” Gisbo started