Komali grew anxious as the Rito island came into clear view. He had trained just before they left a few days ago. He had a refresher course moments before. He had several ships and a couple dozen people nearby in case something went terribly wrong. He had the easiest role in this seemingly simple plan. He wasn't sure why he was so anxious.
"Don't worry." Brittany reassured him, "To them, you're only a lost Rito child who was somehow separated from his family. Worst-case scenario, you'll have to live with them for a short time while we prepare for another try. They would never do anything to harm a Rito child."
The words failed to make Komali feel any better.
"It's going to be okay." Brittany continued, "I promise you have nothing to worry about. Just stand where we tell you to stand and act scared. Don't go to them. Make them come to you."
Komali nodded. It was almost morning, so their camouflaged ships were still practically invisible. They still had the element of surprise. Once the first ship was anchored just out of sight of the Rito patrols, they jumped out and ran ashore. It didn't take long for them to reach their predetermined destination. Komali waited in the open while the others hid among the rocks and little vegetation nearby.
They all waited until just after sunrise before a few Rito men came into view.
Brittany smiled. They were all male. One appeared to be very important, judging from his elaborate clothing, while the others appeared to be guards. Taking them first would be a serious blow to the Ritos' already meager defenses.
"Could it be?" the important looking Rito said as he and the guards ran over to Komali. Brittany and the others prepared to strike.
"Are you hurt?" the important looking Rito asked Komali, "Please say something, little one."
Brittany and the others ambushed the Ritos. As soon as all the guards were properly bound and gagged, they turned their attention to the last remaining adult Rito.
"What do you want?" he demanded, "If it's riches, we have none."
"We're after a different kind of jewels." Brittany told him, "Release the boy and you'll live."
"You can't have him!" the Rito shouted, "I've waited three long years for his return."
"I think I'll be taking my son home." Brittany told him, "If you want to live, I suggest you cooperate."
"He's my son." The Rito growled, "I won't let anyone take him away again."
"He and I have grown quite attached to each other. Brittany explained, "He's already learning our ways and has a bright future ahead of him. You and your mate could always make another one."
"My mate is dead!" the Rito shouted, "There's no way I'll soil her memory by giving her son to a pack of hooligans. Let us return home and my other guards might just let you live."
"You think this is all the warriors I brought with me?" Brittany laughed, "By the end of the day, your island will be under Gerudo control."
"Gerudo? I thought you were all long dead."
"We're far from long dead." Brittany told him, "You seem quite attached to little Komali. Come with us without a fight and I'll be your new mate."
"I'd rather die." The Rito growled.
"But what about Komali there?" Brittany asked, "He's been wanting a daddy for quite some time. Do you really want to deprive him of a father?"
The Rito noticed that he was now surrounded. He couldn't fly away with Komali now. There weather conditions were too poor and he doubted the five-year-old Rito could fly on his own.
"Don't hurt him."
"You'll get to play with him on the ship." She told him as she tied his hands tightly behind his back, "Right after we have some alone time together."
The Rito tried to argue, but a gag was stuffed into his mouth before he could get the first syllable out. Brittany grabbed the Rito's arm and began pulling him to her ship.
"You'll like it there." She told him, "There's a fortress full of hungry women waiting for your guards. All you have to do, my fancy looking Rito, is keep me happy and to take care of Komali."
"Is he really going to be my daddy?" Komali asked.
"He sure is." Brittany told him, "If we're lucky, you might someday get a new sister."
"What about a brother?" Komali asked.
"I don't think a hundred years have passed yet." Brittany told him.
"That didn't answer my question." Komali complained.
"The answer is grown-up gross." Brittany explained, "Like kissing. In fact, it involves kissing. Why don't you wait out here while I 'play' grown-up games with daddy."
Komali waited for what seemed like forever. He decided to ignore the weird noises his parents were making, since they were probably doing something grown-up gross, like kissing. After a while, the noises stopped and he heard them talking.
"You remember our agreement." He heard his mother tell his father, "You don't tell him about the you-know-what."
"What happens if I break our agreement?" his father asked, "Will you kill me."
"No." his mother told his father, "You simply join your guards as the 'entertainment'. I'm sure the girls will be excited to get to 'meet' Rito royalty."
He heard his father gulp. Komali couldn't blame his father for gulping. He too found girls to be very boring. All they ever talked about were clothes, make-up, fighting, and getting guys inside of them. Did they eat boys? The mean man wanted to eat him. Maybe that's why his father didn't want to entertain girls. They might eat him.
"You can come in now." Brittany told Komali, "Now you can talk to daddy. Surely there are a few questions you'd like to ask him."
"I haven't seen you is years." Komali's father told him, "You've gotten so big."
"You've seen me before?" Komali asked.
"You're probably too young to remember." His father explained, "You had wandered off in the middle of the night. We tried looking for you, but the bad people who had taken you were long gone."
"The bad people were mean to me." Komali told him, "They yelled at me and hurt me and threatened to give me to other bad people. I think mommy called them pedal-files. It's a good thing mommy rescued me."
Komali's father started hugging Komali before giving Brittany the harshest glare he had ever given.
"You could have given him back to us." He told her, "We would have gladly given a big reward."
"I thought you guys didn't have riches." She laughed and then looked at his crotch, "Other than your jewels. Besides, now you have someone in your life to help you raise your son."
"I had an entire tribe." He told her.
"Now you have my tribe too." She told him, "In time, you will assimilate into our culture while we 'borrow' elements of yours."
"There's no way I'm abandoning who I am to become like you." His father growled, "I am a Rito. My people soared in the skies for many generations. Why should we give up wings for boats?"
"Who said your people would lose their wings?" Brittany asked, "Sure, you're pretty much grounded until you accept your new way of life. That doesn't mean you can't get past your stubbornness and learn what it means to be my mate."
"Since when did you keep long-term mates?" the Rito asked.
"We can't keep relying on mate-and-release. We need a long-term solution. Plus, you're the only one we're forcing into a lifelong relationship. The others will have to adapt to their new careers as 'men of the night'."
"Their mates aren't going to like that."
"They should be happy we're not mounting all your females' heads on pikes. They can have their guys after we're done with them."
Brittany looked at Komali.
"When do his wings come in?"
The adult Rito was surprised by her question.
"He has to climb our volcano." He explained, "At the top, Valoo will give him his wings."
"You both should rest." Brittany told the Ritos, "It's been a long morning for you both. Before you think of escaping, we're taking over your island. Go there and you will be returned to me. Also, none of the islands nearby will accept your kind."
"Just leave us alone." The adult Rito spat.
Brittany left the two Ritos alone in the room, locking the door on the way out.
"It's a shame he's so stubborn."