Call of Descent
Chapter Thirty-Two

Malikwas furious with Orric and he made sure that the Teoko knew it.

“Whereare you going? Reniko fell back over there where Jekkah is headed at this verymoment,” Malik said pounding furiously and futilely on Orric’s hide.

“Calmdown, Malik, and I’ll explain,” Orric roared finally gaining Malik’s attention,“as I was trying to tell you I’ve Engaged Reniko. We fought with Jekkah longenough to allow her escape, she’s been rescued by some humans and has beentaken to their village.”

“Ididn’t know there were any villages in Trenasa forest,” Rimca voiced.

“They’vehidden themselves quite well amongst these trees. I actually can’t get to themdirectly, you and Malik will have to go in and get her by foot,” Orric replied.“Besides, I doubt they would take kindly to a Teoko in their midst and I’m surethat my presence there would bring Jekkah along after he realizes he issearching in the wrong place.” They were landing in a clearing as Orricfinished speaking. Malik began untying his safety line and jumped to the groundas soon as Orric’s feet had settled to the earth. He turned back to help Rimcaoff who looked relieved to be back on solid ground again.

“I’velost my bow,” Rimca said as her feet hit the ground.

“Welllet’s hope that we won’t need it,” Malik said. He grabbed his sword and secured it to his side. He watched as Rimcastrapped some throwing knives from Reniko’s pack to her thigh and looked toOrric for direction.

“Whereis she?” he asked, eager to replace Reniko and get as far away from Jekkah as theycould.

“Justfollow that game trail to the northeast, you should encounter a trail thatbranches to the west, take that and it will eventually led you to a wall ofundergrowth. Keep following the path and you should get through the growth withnot much difficulty the village is just beyond that.”

Rimcawas already on her way before Orric had stopped talking and Malik had to run tocatch up with her. She was casting a wary glance up into the sky when Malikfinally met up with her, and he too couldn’t help looking up.

“Lookslike it’s going to rain,” Malik said.

“Itis rainy season for these parts,” Rimca said, “come on, we better hurry beforethe trails are too muddy to travel by.” Her pace quickened and she made her waydeftly down the path, her footsteps light and quick. Malik, on the other hand,did not have her grace and found it hard to keep up with the Le’a’to.

Minuteslater, they could hear the first drops of rain as they fell onto the canopyoverhead, and as they reached the fork in the trail, the rain was coming downin torrents, the leaves proving to riverbeds rather than shelter. Rimca hadbeen right about the trails, and soon they found themselves tracking throughthick mud. Malik envied Rimca, who was still leading, for her Le’a’to heritagegave her amazing balance. Her footing came down light and sure on the variousrocks, branches and grassy patches that dotted the trail. Malik, however, couldfeel the mud sloshing into his boots every time his foot came down wrongcausing him to slip. Rimca noticed his difficulty after a time and began toslow her pace.

“Thank-youfor coming, Rimca,” Malik said as Rimca guided him through another mud hole. “Ithought you would have waited with Orric.”

Rimcaturned and looked at Malik contempt on her face. “Why would I do that? Do youthink I’m a coward?”

“No,it’s just that I know you have no love for Reniko.”

“Wellthings can change,” Rimca said.

“Whatdid you see when you searched her?” Malik asked.

“Iguess I saw what you see, and what Orric sees. I saw Reniko.”

“Wellthat isn’t much of an answer.”

“That’swhat Reniko said. Regardless, it’s not for me to tell you. You can replace out onyour own. Looks like we are on the right track,” Rimca said as they reached aseemingly endless wall of tangled bushes.

“Idon’t think Orric knew what he was talking about. There is no way we can getthrough this.”

“Ithink you’re right,” Rimca replied.

Malikwas now in front and he drew his sword. “Well at the least we can always cutright through. He slashed at the bushes in front of him only to have air meethis blade. “Well that’s a neat trick,” he said. He lowered his sword andstepped closer to the growth. Rimca watched as Malik stepped into the bushes,turned slightly and suddenly vanished altogether. Moments later his head poppedaround the corner and her eyes began to adjust to the optical illusion.

“Veryinteresting. A pathway hidden in plain sight,” she said as she joined Malik onthe cleverly hidden trail.

Afterwinding through the dense brush, Rimca and Malik were surrounded by a virtualbog. The entire ground surrounding the massive trees was thick with mud andwater, leaving them with very little to walk on, Malik sighed with displeasure.

“Whowould ever build a village in a place like this?” he said as he jumped onto anearby tree root and tried to keep from falling into the muddy water below.

“Theywould,” Rimca said joining Malik on the root and pointing into the foliageabove, “just like Treeton back home.”

Malik,who had never been to Treeton, had only heard Rimca tell stories of theLe’a’to’s treetop city. From what he could tell, this treetop village lackedthe refinement that Treeton had.

“Youwould think with Treeton, you wouldn’t be so scared of heights.” Malik said.

“WellI never said I lived in Treeton now did I,” Rimca said as she jumped to anothertree root. “Come on you clumsy rogue, let’s replace Reniko before we drown.”

Malikwatched as Rimca made her way deeper into the mire, she’s changed somehow.She’s suddenly so grown up. He followed her slowly, unsure how to take thismild change in his childish friend.

Aftera lengthy excursion below the village, they soon discovered that there was, infact, no way up to the village high above. Malik was the first to stop. Tiredand soaked, he looked up at the structure and sighed.

“Isuppose that they’ve been watching us wander around down here the entire time.Any suggestions on how to get them to let us up there?” he asked blinking awaythe water from his eyes.

Rimcaresponded by letting out an ear-shattering whistle.

“Wellthat’s one way,” Malik said rubbing his ears.

Rimcajust looked at him with a sassy grin and pointed overhead. “Yes, it is,” shesaid pointedly as they both watched a platform lower to the ground. Malik wasthe first one to notice that four men were on the platform and they each held aweapon. He reflexively lowered his hand to the hilt of his sword and waited.Rimca looked shocked.

“Theyobviously don’t follow the laws the Rük laid down,” Rimca said watching as thefour men positioned themselves around the two interlopers.

“Well,we don’t exactly either,” Malik whispered.

“Doyou think they are friendly?” Rimca whispered fingering her throwing knives.

“Wewould ask the same of you, pale ones,” one of the four asked, “I am Takka’nuiwhat business do you have with our tribe?”

“Wemean you know harm, Takka’nui. A friend of ours fell from the sky and we havereason to believe she has been taken into your village. She is pale skinnedlike us,” Malik said. He bowed slightly to the husky man before him

“Ithought as much; however, when I heard you and the fire girl speaking thetraders tongue I had my doubts.”

“Traderstongue?” Malik asked.

“Didhe just call me fire girl?” Rimca asked.

“Traderstongue,” Takka said gesturing toward his throat, “the angel spoke the fathertongue.”

Rimcalooked at Malik and shrugged, “Reniko apparently speaks their native language.”

“I’mjust glad they speak ours,” Malik whispered back. “This angel you refer to,could you take us to her.”

“Ifyou are to enter the village we must take your arms,” Takka said gesturing forhis men to move in.

“Ourarms?” Rimca asked hugging herself.

“Ourweapons, Rimca,” Malik said removing his sword and handing his to the nearestguard.

“Iknew that,” Rimca said as she removed the string of knives from her thigh.

“I’mMalik,” Malik said and motioning to Rimca he added, “and this is Rimca.”

“Malikand Rimca, Reniko’s friends, I am pleased to meet you. But please, we must makehaste; the angel has fallen into a deep sleep and we have been unable to wakeher.”

“Thatdoesn’t sound good,” Rimca said.

“Frankly,I’m just glad to know that she’s still alive,” Malik said as he joined the fourtribesmen on the platform.

Malikstood over Reniko’s still frame, concern crossing his face, as a young boywiped the sweat from her face and forced a cool broth into her mouth.

“Ussosaid that a strange fairy spoke to him from a glowing orb. He told me that ittalked with Reniko for some time. She seemed angry about something and thefairy spoke to him and told him to make sure that she was cared for. I was inthe meeting hall with the elders discussing what was to happen to her. Theelders had every intention of making her leave the city; however, when we foundher unconscious, they agreed we could not leave her alone like this,” Takka’nuisaid.

“Afairy from a sphere?” Rimca asked bewildered, “Reniko was talking to it as ifshe knew it?”

“Shedid know it,” Malik said sighing. “Takka’nui, do you know where the sphereholding the fairy is now?”

“Ussoput it back in the pouch that had held it,” Takka’nui said pointing to thepouch that lay next to Reniko’s other belongings. Malik reached for it and,pulling gently on the leather pouch, let the Levanith sphere fall into his openhand.

“Whatis that?” Rimca asked, awe struck by the glowing sphere Malik now held.

“It’sa sphere used in ancient times by the Levanith. When we were in Reflaydun, thecity gave it to Reniko.”

“Thecity?” Rimca asked.

“It’scomplicated,” Malik said. Then addressing the sphere, he gave a command,“connect me to the city Reflaydun.” Instantly the sphere responded, opening upto reveal the form of Shyma.”

“MasterMalik, how may we be of service?” the hologram asked.

“Youcould tell me what you have done to Reniko,” Malik demanded. His tone wasassertive, something Rimca had never heard in his voice before.

“Weare sorry we have caused you alarm. We are merely repairing the damagesustained by the fall that Reniko endured. She will be in homeostasis for nomore than two days. Please make sure she is not moved during that time.”

“Looklady, we don’t have two days,” Rimca announced.

“Whois this malcontent?” the hologram asked. This inflamed Rimca’s anger.

“Malcontent?Look, I don’t know who or what you are, but whatever you did to Reniko undo it.We have one of the most powerful Rük on all of Vespen right on our tails whois, in fact, looking for Reniko. If we stay here, not only are we endangeringReniko and our own lives, but also those of the people in this city.”

“Irecommend you defend yourselves,” the hologram responded.

“Iknow you mean well,” Malik intruded. He put a hand up to silence Rimca wholooked ready to burst, “but there is no way we can ask the people of thisvillage to endanger their lives for a complete stranger.”

“Myadvice, milord, is that you acquaint these people with what you and Reniko aretrying to do.”

Malikremained silent, as did Rimca. Takka’nui looked concerned.

“Takka’nui,I have a favor to ask you, even though I have no right to ask this of you.”

“Iwill ask the elders to call a town meeting. Please wait here with Usso,”Takka’nui said as he left the small building and went into the heart of thevillage.

“Whatare you going to tell them, Malik?” Rimca asked joining his side as he slid thesphere back into Reniko’s pouch.

“AnythingI have to for them to understand.”

Anhour later, Malik was standing in front of a large crowd of people. Rimca wasat his side, as was Takka’nui who was there as a translator at the elders’request. The elders were sitting to one side watching the proceeding with waryeyes. Malik took a deep breath and began.

“Citizensof Tresca, I am a traveler from the city of Tordaskar. I represent a resistancethat has begun against the Rük that have been oppressing our people for far toolong. We have come to your city by strange means. You may have heard now of thebattle that took place far overhead between two Teoko. My companions and I wereflying on one of these Teoko. A girl, Reniko, fell from the sky and landed inyour forest. She lies now in your city and cannot be moved for two days. Icalled you here only to ask that you allow us to stay until our friend hashealed,” Malik addressed to the crowd as his eyes focused on the eldersassembled.

“Thatis not all you ask of us,” one of the elders said.

“No,”Malik lowered his head, closed his eyes, and prayed for strength. “No it isnot. The other Teoko and Rük are hunting us. It’s just a matter of time beforethey replace us here. I’m asking you, I’m begging you, to help us fight againstthem.”

“Wehave nothing to gain from this arrangement,” another of the elders replied.

“Ifthe Rük are destroyed, there would be no need for your people to hide. Humanscould again walk in freedom on Vespen.”

“Wedo not hide, young man,” the first elder said.

Maliklowered his head. “You condemn us to death then.”

“Pleaseelders, let the warriors make their own decision. Those who guard the safety ofour village should determine whether their cause is just,” Takka’nui saidstepping forward now to stand abreast with Malik.

“Yourrequest is denied. These people bring nothing but chaos and danger to ourvillage. They must leave immediately,” the first elder replied; the othersnodded their agreement.

“Ifyou turn your backs on us, you side with the Rük. You side with everything thatis evil and wrong with the world, is that what you wish?” Rimca said her eyesshining with rage.

“Thiswoman speaks true,” a voice shouted from the crowd.

“Wecannot condemn these innocents to death,” shouted another. Soon the entirecrowd was voicing words against the elders who looked enraged at this lack ofobeisance.

Thecrowd was only silenced when another voice spoke from behind Malik.

“Ido not wish for you to sacrifice your life for me.” Malik turned at the soundof Reniko’s voice and was startled by the sight he saw before him. She wasstanding on the platform, her hair unbraided and blowing in the wind, as werethe robes that she wore. Her face was serene and she held Imako unsheathed inher hand.

“Bythe goddess, Reniko, how are you standing?” Malik asked rushing to her side. Hedrew back when Reniko looked at him; her eyes were glazed and unseeing.

“Malikkeep away from her,” Rimca shouted grabbing his hand and pulling him fartheraway from Reniko.

“What’swrong with her?” Malik asked Rimca.

Renikowas looking into the sky, which was a wash of reds and oranges peeking throughthe foliage of the trees, the rain had stopped for the moment. She commanded apower that Malik had never seen before. She stood stone still, gazing at thesky, and suddenly she raised Imako over her head and pointed it toward thedying light of the sun.

“He’scoming, run,” she shouted and immediately after collapsed. Malik wrenched hishand from Rimca and ran to Reniko’s body. As he clasped her hand in his, heheard branches ripping under stress and leaped onto Reniko as the canopy abovebegan falling around them. Malik heard Rimca shouting at him as well as thescreams of the villagers as they sought cover from the falling debris; however,his only thoughts were of keeping harm from befalling Reniko.

Whenhe felt wind ripping at his clothing, he looked overhead and watched as Jekkahdescended, Orborok sitting smugly on his back.

“Alltoo easy,” Orborok said.

Maliklooked up at him, rage pouring into his body. Letting go of Reniko’s hand, hestood and drew his sword.

“Notthat easy,” he shouted as Orborok leapt from Jekkah’s back and landed solidlyon the platform.

“Standaside, boy, or I will kill you,” Orborok said withdrawing a double-sided axe.Malik stood his ground.

“I’mnot afraid to die,” Malik growled at Orborok as he prepared for battle. Thecomment startled Orborok and the Rük hesitated. That girl said the samething to me. What motivates them so that, despite death, they have no fear?Orborok’s thoughts turned back to Malik as he saw the human leaping into thefray. Parrying the blow, he quickly took back the aggressive engagement.

Malikstaved off his anger toward the Rük when he lost the offense and instead triedsavagely to remember what Reniko had taught him. Endurance, not force, willwin this battle, he thought remembering Reniko’s words. He had to be quickand wait for the prefect moment to strike. He guarded blow against blow, hisarms rattling from the intensity that Orborok wielded upon him. I can’t dothis forever, Malik thought at the same time he realized that Orborok wasslow enough that Malik could in fact avoid most of his blows instead of meetthem. Using his speed, he dodged the lumbering axe that Orborok wielded androlled to the side. Orborok turned, calculated his next move, and struck. Malikdodged again and again until Orborok was screaming with frustration.

“It’suseless to fight me, boy. You’re no match for me. You’re only delaying myvictory,” Orborok said as he hacked again at Malik, this time meeting blade forblade. Malik didn’t respond, instead Orborok heard the whistle of metal throughthe air. Turning toward the sound, he put his arm up to block the oncomingweapon before it impacted his neck. The bite of metal in his forearm made him cryout in rage as three throwing knives imbedded themselves into his skin. Helooked at the redheaded Le’a’to that had thrown them and registered the threat.He met Malik’s blade almost too late and he felt the sting of metal against hisribs. Screaming in rage, again he threw out his axe and sent Malik sprawlingonto the ground. What is that Teoko doing? Orborok thought as he glancedbehind him at the still frame of Jekkah. Taking the momentary relief frombattle, Orborok plucked the knives from his arm and tossed them to the ground.He looked in the direction of the Le’a’to and he spoke. “You wait there mysweet vixen. I’ll deal with you as soon as I’ve rid the world of anotherdefiant human.” Orborok turned back to his prey, which was standing upright onceagain, a cocky smirk on his face.

“Youcan’t possibly think that you’re going to win this foray?” Orborok said inresponse.

“Ialready have,” Malik said as a group of villagers surrounded Orborok, theirspears pointed threateningly at Orborok’s body.

Orboroksneered at Malik. “You won’t have protection forever.” With a scornful cry, heswept his axe into the crowd surrounding him, and cleared a path back toJekkah.

“Jekkahyou useless fool, get us out of here,” he screamed as he clambered onto theTeoko. Jekkah who finally woke from his silence took to the air, tossing thenearby villagers to the ground like leaves.

Oncethe two villains were a safe distance away from the city, Orborok spoke.“Trokar is not going to be pleased.”

“Youbetter tend to those wounds, my lord, before my back becomes sticky with Rükblood.”

“Whatwere you doing back there?” Orborok hissed back, now tempted to kill Jekkah forhis insubordination. The only thing that saved the wretched creature was thatTrokar himself had sent him and Orborok could not endure any more displeasurefrom his lord.

“Iwas –” Jekkah gave a painful roar in finish to his thought and suddenly droppedfrom the sky carrying an extremely vehement Orborok with him.

Renikohad never felt so lost before. She was cold and alone wandering a barrenstretch of highway. Dark had descended hours ago, and it was starting to rain.There was no sign of any city, either forward or backward, and she had wanderedtoo far away from her car now to even remember where it was. She was alone,wet, and no one even knew where she was.

“Ishouldn’t have left home,” she whispered to herself as she rubbed her arms tokeep the chill away.

“Thenwe never would have met,” Reniko heard a voice above her say. She looked upinto the night sky and saw the shadow of a dragon overhead.

“Who?”Reniko asked and immediately brightened, “Orric!” Orric smiled down at her andlanded on the highway.

“Buthow are you here? On Earth?” Reniko asked as she ran into Orric’s bulk andwarmed herself with his heat.

“Thequestion you should be asking is how you are back on Earth?”

Renikothought for a moment and replied, “I’m dreaming aren’t I?” Orric nodded.

“Iseveryone okay? What happened to Jekkah and Orborok?” Reniko asked, memoriessuddenly flooding back to her.

“Everyoneis fine. It’s you I’m worried about. I came to protect you. Jekkah is here,”Orric said.

“Jekkah’shere? In my mind?”

“Whydo you think you are trapped in this miserable dream? You and I both know wecould shape it however we wish if another presence was not embedded here.”Reniko looked at Orric, his eyes were full of certainty, he had made a decisionand Reniko was not about to let him go through with it.

“Ido not wish for you to sacrifice your life for me,” she said hugging himtightly. “I can get rid of him.”

“Youdon’t have the control I do. You couldn’t possibly withstand the attacks thathe can inflict.”

“Hewon’t hesitate to kill you Orric, but he has orders for me to be alive.Besides, you may have the control, but you don’t have the power, I do,” Renikofelt goose bumps crawling along her skin and with a sudden fierceness in hereyes she looked at Orric sternly. “He’s coming, run.”

“Iwill not leave you,” Orric said standing his ground.

“Youalways were the fool,” Jekkah said as he leaped onto his brother. Orric foughtback bitterly as Reniko, who had been thrown off her feet, tried to regain hercomposure. When she finally restored herself, she gazed on the battle ragingbetween Orric and Jekkah in dismay.

“Ican’t let this happen,” she screamed, “I won’t let this happen. This is mymind, GET OUT!” Her scream turned into rage and her rage to power and like ablast of intense heat her power hit Jekkah and Orric. Jekkah released his gripon Orric and screamed in pain as Reniko’s rage seared through him. Unable tostand the pain, he tried to disengage only to replace that Reniko had a lethalgrip on his mind. Landing on the ground, he faced his attacker, weak andsubmissive. Reniko came to him, her body glowing a smoldering red.

“Ifyou ever try to Engage me again, it will be much worse,” Reniko said. With asudden fear in his heart Jekkah disengaged, leaving Reniko and Orric alone.

“Thatis something we’ll definitely have to teach you to control,” Orric said wincingslightly.

Renikonoticed the pained expression and looked at him worriedly. “Did I hurt you,Orric? I’m so sorry.”

“Nevermind that. Get some rest. I don’t think Jekkah will be bothering you for a longwhile. You gave him quite the scare.”

“Hedeserved worse,” Reniko muttered.

“I’llsee you in a couple of days when those nannites have fixed you up.”

“TellMalik I’m alright,” Reniko said.

“I’msure he already knows,” Orric replied and he disengaged.

Renikoawoke to the first light of a new day and heard whispered voices coming from anearby room. Stretching her newly healed limbs, she got out of the bed she hadoccupied and quietly made her way to the voices. She stopped at the thick cloththat separated the rooms when she heard the voices of Malik and Rimca on theother side. Peering through a small gap in the fabric, she watched the twotalking in hushed tones.

Malikwas holding a small vial in his hand that was secured to a silver chain. Thevial had an intricate stopper with the symbol of the Levanith clearly marked onit. A clear liquid sloshed around inside as he tipped it methodically in hishand while he spoke.

“Whatare you going to tell them?” Rimca asked. Malik stopped playing with the vialand dropped it into his lap, laying his hands over it in defeat.

“I’lltell them whatever they want to hear. I just can’t do it, not after everythingwe’ve been through. She’s proved herself enough.”

“Doyou think they’ll believe you once they see that?” Rimca asked. She grabbed thechain holding the vial and wrenched it from Malik’s grasp, holding it suspendedin front of his face. Malik stared at it with remorse.

“I’venever seen a person survive. Not one Rimca,” Malik said grabbing the vial fromthe air. Malik unstopped the vial and moved across the room over to the openwindow. “They’ll never know.”

Rimcajumped from her feet and stopped Malik’s hand before he could poor the liquidout. “Malik don’t. That is a gift from the goddess.”

“No.The goddess never existed. It’s nothing more than a poison without a cure.”

“Wellyou never know when something like that will come in handy,” Rimca said easingthe stopper back into the vial.

“Iwill never give this to her, Rimca. I’ll take it before she does.”

“Ihope it doesn’t come to that Malik. I’m sure your parents will understand oncethey meet her.” Rimca turned, shoving the vial back into Malik’s hand, asReniko emerged into the room. Malik, still facing the window, slid the chainaround his neck, hiding the vial beneath his shirt.

“It’sgood to see you awake,” Rimca said grasping hold of Reniko’s hand. Renikogently pulled her hand away from Rimca, still wary of the last time Rimca hadgrasped it. Rimca gave her a weak smile.

Renikolooked at Malik. His face was marred with guilt. “I’m glad you’re awake, youhad us rather worried.” Reniko glanced at the vial hidden beneath Malik’s shirtand up at her friend.

“Itrust you,” she said looking Malik in the eye. Malik inhaled sharply and turnedaway from Reniko.

“Pleasedon’t make me take you there,” Malik pleaded.

“Ihave to go,” Reniko said.

“Why?Why? I don’t understand. Why can’t you understand how dangerous it is there?”Malik said turning to face Reniko and grabbing her arms. Reniko stood silentlyfor a while allowing Malik to overpower her. She had never seen him cry before.Rimca shifted uneasily where she stood and silently fled the room.

Maliklooked defeated.

“Idon’t know Malik. Call it intuition, call it whatever you want. I just feelthat Tordaskar holds the answers that we are all looking for. I can’t explainit. Ever since we were in Reflaydun, maybe when the city was taking informationfrom us it gave me something, some piece of information before it lost itsconnection. All I know is that we have to go there.” Malik’s hands releasedReniko and he turned back to the window.

“Ijust… by the goddess, Reniko, I thought we had lost you. I thought you weredead. I couldn’t –” Reniko was holding her breath. She walked over to Malik andgrabbed his arm gently and he turned to look into her eyes. “Reniko, I can’tlose you. I love you. I love you.” His last words were a whisper.

Renikoleaned in and tenderly kissed him, her own tears mingling with his. When shepulled away from him, she gazed into his eyes and smiled. “I’m not goinganywhere, I promise.” Malik grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

“I’mholding you to that promise.”