Call of Descent
Chapter Thirty-Six

Theravine was hours wide. Reniko could not believe the depth of the ravine, allthis time traveling, and the bottom was still so far down she could not see it.She was eager for the sun to reach its zenith, to see if some light could beshed on the ground below, but the more she talked with Malik the less likely itseemed.

“Howlong until we reach the other side?” Reniko asked. She had been starting at theother side of the cliff watching it loom ever closer, but could not judge thedistance they yet had to travel.

“Notlong now, we should reach the forest surrounding Tordaskar before the sunreaches midday,” Orric said. So much for seeing the bottom of this place,Reniko thought.

Orricwas true to his word. Before the sun had reached its peak, they had met thecliff wall, and soaring close to it, entered the woods of Tordaskar. Orriclanded, his body nearing exhaustion. Malik, Rimca, and Reniko began to set up acamp, all of them tired from their trek through the plains surrounding Ocean’sWall. They stumbled around camp preparing a make-shift meal, and when it wascompleted, they all sat in silence while they ate. Reniko was glancing at thewoods around them. The trees that surrounded them were immense, giantSequoias and Redwoods amazing!

“I’venever seen trees so tall before,” Reniko said as she listened to the wind fromthe ravine blow through the trees.

“Theyare very old, thousands of years, they’ve all reached their full height,” Orricsaid yawning.

“Wehave nothing in this quantity so well preserved on Earth,” Reniko said soakingin the sight as she too yawned.

“Ithink we should get some sleep before we travel forward,” Malik said succumbingto his own exhaustion.

Rimcaconceded, all of them finished their meal, and took position in the shade ofthe nearby trees. Orric woke them a few hours later.

“I’msorry to disturb all of you, but I have some urgent matters that I need todiscuss with my people. I can drop you all off on the outskirts of the city,unless you feel like walking the rest of the way,” Orric pressed.

“Thatwill be fine Orric, I don’t think any of us are up for a two day hike throughthis forest,” Malik said.

Packingup their small camp, they climbed aboard Orric and he took to the air. Now highabove the trees, Reniko could clearly see their destination in the distance.Malik had been right; it would have taken them the better part of two days towalk. Luckily, by air, it was only a matter of hours before they reached thewalls surrounding Tordaskar. Orric landed briefly, allowing only enough timefor them to disembark and grab their belongings, and he took to the air.

“Good-byeOrric, thank you for everything,” Reniko called after him, watching as hedisappeared above the tops of the trees. When she could no longer see him, shejoined Malik and Rimca in gathering their belongings.

Malikwalked over to her, worry written all over his face. “Reniko there is somethingI have to tell you. I should have told you this a long time ago, I just didn’tknow how. Lyss, I – ” Malik stopped talking as he glanced over Reniko’sshoulder and saw the point of a spear directed at her back. He made to move,only to realize that there was more than one spear. They were surrounded by theTordaskan guard.

“Notnow. Why now?” Malik shouted.

Oneof the guards, the captain, pushed his way through the ranks to face hisprisoners. “Who are you, and how in the name of the goddess did you get soclose to our gates without detection?” he asked and looking at Malik gasped insurprise and knelt on the ground, head bowed. “My Prince Malik!”

Prince?Reniko looked at Malik shocked, Malik looked at her defeated. He was tryingto tell me, Reniko realized, and she was angry. Why didn’t he tell me?

“Prince?”Reniko whispered. “Oh Malik, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Ididn’t… I didn’t know how to tell you. I’m sorry Reniko.”

“Yourfather, King Zanith has ordered you detained, my lord. I dare not defy hisorder,” the captain said standing once again.

“Ofcourse he would,” Malik said stepping away from Reniko.

“Iwill come with you without trouble if you assure me that my companions will beunharmed,” Malik demanded with authority. He suddenly looked the part of aprince, despite how travel worn he was. Guess I’m not the only one that’sbeen hiding things.

“Youhave my word that they will be unharmed until they go before the King,” thecaptain said.

Malikturned back to Reniko and held her tightly. “Promise me Reniko that no matterwhat happens, you won’t eat or drink anything that is given to you.”

“WhyMalik?” Reniko asked.

“I’llexplain later, just give me a chance to talk with my father. I won’t let themdo anything to you Reniko, I promise.”

“Malik,you’re scaring me,” Reniko whispered as she was torn apart from him and ledinto the city away from both him and Rimca. Trembling slightly, she tried toavoid the curious looks that accompanied her as she moved with her guardsdeeper into the city toward the castle.

Shewas trying to contain her sudden fear when she was led beyond the castle gatesand guided to the dungeon. Wasn’t expecting to be alone in this venture,Reniko thought as she was left alone in a cell, the clothing that the Le’a’tohad given her the only things she possessed. Reniko stared through the bars ofher cage and whispered her only comfort, “I trust you Malik.”

Malikentered the throne room reluctantly, followed closely by Rimca and the captainof the city guard, Reese. At the sight of him, King Zanith got to his feet,anger evident in his face.

“Howdare you,” Zanith shouted, “How dare you leave like that. It’s been five years,Malik; the only word I ever received was from the Lady Rimca. I should disownyou for what you have done.”

“Icouldn’t come back, not after everything I have seen. The people out there aresuffering. I couldn’t just ignore them and come back here to hide behindOcean’s Wall.”

“Sowhy have you returned?” Zanith asked.

Renikosat numbly in the corner of her cell, unnerved by how long it had been sinceshe had seen Malik or Rimca. She was worried something terrible had happened tothem, or something terrible is going to happen to me. What did Malik meandon’t eat or drink anything. I wonder if that vial he carries has anything todo with this. Reniko’s thoughts were interrupted as someone passed by hercell. She jumped to her feet at the sight of the person and neared the door toher cell grabbing the man’s clothing firmly in her hand before he could leave.The man looked back at her annoyed.

“Howdare you,” he shouted at her, and upon seeing Reniko’s puzzled look he relaxed.

“DoI know you?” Reniko asked. “You look familiar to me.” She was looking over theman once again trying to pin point where she had seen him before. His hair wascoal black and shaggy almost hiding his eyes, which were a dark brown incolour. Reniko guessed him to be about twenty-five years old. As she looked athis face, she was sure she knew him from somewhere.

“Ido not think so. You are new here are you not?” he said.

“I’msure…” Reniko said and shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, it’s nothing. I musthave been mistaken.”

“Whyare you here, milady, if you mind me asking?”

“Maliktried to warn me that they didn’t like strangers here. I didn’t think it wouldbe quite like this,” Reniko said releasing the man’s clothing and shufflingbackward to lean against the nearest wall.

“You?The Prince? The crowned Prince, Malik?” Crowned Prince, oh this just keepsgetting better. Malik, why didn’t you tell me?

“Wetraveled here together.”

Theman contemplated this information and furrowed his brow deep in thought. “Isee. If you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave.”

“It’snot like I can do anything about that. But please, before you go, I’m RenikoDorsalin and you are?”

Theman looked a little surprised as he stuttered his own name, “Ryne.” With namesexchanged, he hurried past Reniko’s cell and out of sight.

“Icame because of her, father. I think she can help us, help us rid Vespen of theRük forever.” Malik finished speaking.

Zanithsat on his throne digesting Malik’s words when a figure appeared behind thethrone and began to whisper in Zanith’s ear. With words exchanged, Zanith satup straight and his gaze fell maliciously on Malik.

“Malik,have you kept something from me?” Zanith asked.

Maliklooked at the shaggy haired man and back to his father. “I don’t know what youmean.” Malik tried to hide his concern, the vial against his chest burning.

Rynestalked intently toward Malik who was suddenly sure that this man had somehowfound out about the vial. His suspicions were confirmed when the man tore openhis shirt and ripped the vial from around his neck.

“AsI suspected you highness, the vial is still full.”

“AmI to believe you brought a defiled woman into our midst, Malik?”

“Father,please. Everyone who has ever taken that poison has died. How could I do thatto her? She has done nothing but good since I met her, she doesn’t need to takeit. She is not a Rük, believe me.”

“Noone in over five hundred years has ever remained defiled once inside thesewalls. I will not allow your weakness to kill us all, Malik. Ryne, see to itthat my son is taken to his room and does not leave. I will not have himwarning our enemy.” Malik felt arms wrapping around him and he struggled tofree himself.

“Father,please! Don’t do this. I love her,” Malik screamed unable to free himself fromhis captors. Suddenly he remembered Rimca and glanced in her direction. Rimcacaught his gaze and dashed from the throne room.

“Ifshe is who you say she is, no harm will come to her,” Zanith said with finalityas he gestured for Ryne to remove his son from his presence.

Reniko,why did I let you convince me to take you here? There was nothing that I coulddo in the end and now you’re going to die.

Rimcaran straight to the dungeons, and using some stealth, she managed to replace herway to Reniko’s cell struggling for breath.

“Reniko,”Rimca said, startling Reniko out of her solitude. “I have a message from Malik.Everything had been reconciled. Some guards are going to come and release yousoon. You have an audience with King Zanith. He is anxious to meet you as arepresentative from Earth.”

“Whereis Malik?”

“Hesent me to tell you. He wanted to go see his family. He hasn’t seen them forfive years. After you meet with Zanith, Malik will come replace you. Everything isfine now Reniko.”

“ThanksRimca,” Reniko said sighing with relief. I knew Malik would fix this.

“They’recoming,” Rimca said and disappeared back where she had come from. Moments laterthree guards appeared.

“I’mto escort you to the audience chamber. Our King Zanith wishes to meet you,” Thelead guard said.

“It’san honour I’m sure.” Reniko said as she followed the guards out of the cell andinto the throne room. Reniko was surprised when she saw Zanith. She realizedthat if she had not been told, she never would have known that Malik wasrelated to this man. Where Malik had brown hair, this man had blond, and whereMalik had brown eyes, this man had blue. At his side, however, sat an elegantwoman, Malik’s mother, there was no doubt in Reniko’s mind about that fact,they looked almost identical. Reniko also noted one other presence in the room,Ryne, who was standing behind the King’s throne.

Renikoknelt before the throne, bowing her head in respect. “Your eminence, it is anhonour. Thank you for letting me come before your throne.”

“Rise,please. My son has told me much about you. It is not every day that someonefrom Earth arrives at the doorstep of my city.” A door opened on one side ofthe room and Reniko glanced at the source of the sound noticing Rimca step intoview a warm smile on her face. A girl followed closely behind her, dressed inhighborn clothing and carrying a tray with bejewelled goblets on it. Rimca tookup residence at the side of the hall, out of the way, while the girl steppedtoward Reniko.

“Please,a toast to the union of our people against the Rük,” the Queen, Killashandrasaid.

AsReniko grabbed a goblet from the tray, she hesitated, thinking of Malik’swarning. Casting a worried glance in Rimca’s direction, she was reassured bythe calm demeanour of her Le’a’to friend. She finally grasped hold of thegoblet only to be startled by the girl before her that was now looking veryfamiliar.

“Shayrah?”Reniko asked.

Thetwelve-year-old girl looked up frightened that this stranger knew her name.

“Youlook older than Malik remembered you,” Reniko said.

Shayrahlooked puzzled by this comment. “You know my brother?”

“Wetraveled here together,” Reniko said.

“Really?”Shayrah brightened at this comment and was about to ask Reniko some questionswhen she heard her father speak at her. Hurriedly, Shayrah headed to the throneand gave the remaining glasses to her parents.

Zanithraised his glass high and stared intently at Reniko as he spoke, “To thedestruction of the Rük.” With a nod, Reniko raised the goblet to her lips anddrank deeply. Zanith smiled and set down his goblet.

“Howdo you feel?” Zanith asked. Reniko’s heart stopped, that was not the commentshe had been expecting. She frantically glanced down at the goblet she held inher hand and released it, letting it crash to the ground, its contents spillingout in a spray on the ground.

“Whathave you done to me?” Reniko gasped looking from Rimca to the King and backagain.

“Renikocalm down. It was a test. It was only a test. One that you passed. If it wasgoing to have any effect it would have been immediate,” Rimca said walkingslowly toward Reniko.

“Whereis Malik,” Reniko asked shaking. She wasn’t so sure she believed Rimca anymore.

“Myson is safe, in his room. I couldn’t have him warning you. Please Reniko, wehad to be sure; had to be sure you were what you claimed you were,”Killashandra said.

“ButI overheard you,” Reniko said looking at Rimca, “I heard Malik say that vial hehad was poison. You poisoned me!” Reniko’s heart was racing. They poisonedme.

“Renikolisten to me, please. That vial my son had around his neck was not a poison. Itwas a cleansing potion, given to us by the Levanith. There are Rük who can takethe form of humans and Le’a’to. If those Rük come to Tordaskar, this potionkills them. Those who are not Rük are unharmed. All that this has done hasproven to us that you are what you say you are.”

Renikolooked to Rimca who was avoiding eye contact. These people are insane, Renikothought.

“Ofcourse, Sire. It seems like a good protection for your people,” Reniko said notvoicing her thoughts. “If you please, it has been a long trip.”

“Yes,yes. Shayrah will take you to your room,” Zanith said urging his daughterforward. Shayrah made her way to Reniko’s side and shyly took her hand and ledher out the door. Rimca followed closely behind.

Oncethey were clear of the throne room, Reniko glared back at Rimca.

“Whatthe hell was that? Malik didn’t send you to tell me that everything was fine,I’m sure of that. I know he didn’t want me taking that potion, poison, drug...whatever it was. I also know that what the King said can’t possibly be true.Did you take that stuff? What is going on here?” Shayrah who was still leadingReniko along stopped, curious about the conversation between the visitors.

“I’msorry I made you drink that awful stuff. But what my father says is true,” Shayrahsaid. Reniko looked at her and back at Rimca.

“Didyou take that stuff or not?” Reniko asked.

Rimcaseemed hesitant to answer, “Well, no I didn’t. Reniko, I wasn’t supposed to bethe one that explained this, but really I have no choice now.”

“MiladyRimca, may I have a word with you,” a voice, Ryne’s, called out suddenly.

Rimcaturned to see the shaggy haired man running toward them.

“Yes,Ryne, just a moment,” turning back to Reniko, she smiled apologetically, “lookslike our conversation will have to wait.” Rimca started walking to Ryne;however, Reniko caught her arm, fire in her eyes.

“Rimca,you are not leaving until I know what is going on,” Reniko said, frustrated aswell as angry.

“Ipromise I will explain it to you. But I must speak with Ryne first,” Rimca saidunwrapping Reniko’s hand from her arm. “Go see Malik. He’ll want to know youare okay. I’ll meet up with you there.”

Eversince the council meeting in Corbasin I’ve been afraid Malik would abandon me,and all along it has been Rimca who has been deceiving me.Reniko turned away from the retreating forms of Rimca and Ryne and followedShayrah, who was waiting patiently with a confused expression on her face.

“Youknow, I can take you to my brother if you want. I haven’t seen him since he gotback,” Shayrah said grabbing Reniko’s hand once again and leading her deeperinto the halls of the castle. “Could you tell me how you know who I am on theway there?” Shayrah asked curiously.

Renikosmiled despite herself. “Well it started when your brother and I went to thishidden city on Edonal Eclith –”

Malikglanced out his window wishing that his quarters were not stationed so highabove the ground. The sun had set some time ago and every minute he wasted inthis room was another that brought Reniko closer to her death. He turned backto the confines of his room and glanced around frustrated. Finally, for lack ofa better plan, began stripping his bed of its covers. A commotion at the doorhalted his actions as he heard a small female voice speaking at his door andsuddenly it was flung open. The first thing that Malik saw was Reniko standingthere with a smile on her face.

“Reniko,you’re alright. How did you get out of your cell?” Malik asked.

“Wellthe captain of the guards let me out,” Reniko replied.

“DidRimca enlist his help?”

“Notexactly…” Reniko said.

“Malley?”Shayrah asked breaking into the conversation. Malik looked down at his youngsister for the first time and smiled.

“Shay,you’ve grown so much,” he said scooping his sister into his arms and huggingher.

“Sohave you… I think,” Shayrah replied. “I missed you so much. Father was so angrywhen you didn’t return when you were supposed to. I was sure it was somethingthat I had done that caused you to stay away for so long.”

“Shayrah,no, it wasn't anything you did. I love you so much. I thought of you every daythat I was gone, but I couldn’t come back. There were things that I had to do.I’m back now though.”

“Forgood?” Shayrah asked.

“No,I haven’t finished yet.”

“Ithought so. I mean bringing a defiled girl to Tordaskar was pretty stupid,Malley. I’m sure you had some reason for doing it. But she passed the test youknow.”

Maliklooked horrified suddenly and looked at Reniko who was still standing in thedoorway, watching the family reunion.

“Reniko,they didn’t make you… I mean... you’re not dead?”

“Yes,and no,” she replied. “I’m fine Malik, I promise.”

“Shay,do you think that Reniko and I could talk alone for a little while?” Malikasked his sister.

Shayrah’sshoulders sagged. “I knew that would be coming eventually. Just promise me thatyou’ll tell me what’s going on later.”

“Ofcourse, Shay,” Malik said tousling her hair and receiving a purely venomouslook from Shayrah in return as she tried to rearrange her rumpled hair.

“Guessshe’s too old for that now,” he said to Reniko as his sister left the room,shutting the doors behind her.

Withthe doors finally shut, and them alone, Reniko exploded. “Malik, what the hellis going on?”

“Iwas trying to get my father to understand that we didn’t need to cleanse youwith that poison. He locked me away here. I’m sorry Reniko.”

“It’snot your fault Malik. I just wish you had told me about this sooner. If I hadknown, maybe we could have done something about it. At least now your parentsare willing to trust me, now that they think I can’t possibly be a Rük.”

“Ican’t believe you survived. You and Rimca are the only two people I know ofthat have ever lived through the cleansing.”

“AboutRimca, something’s wrong with her. She’s hiding something. She lied to meMalik, you as well. She told me that you said that everything had beenresolved; it was why I drank that potion. Not to mention out in the hall justnow she just told me that she never took the potion herself. Why does yourfamily trust her so readily if she has never endured the cleansing?"

“Theytrust her because she has endured the cleansing, or at least they thought so.She told you she never took the potion?”

“Thisisn’t making any sense. What is going on here?”

“Idon’t know anymore. Rimca was only allowed to travel with us because thecouncil ordered her to. Do you think that the Le’a’to have some hidden agenda.Are they really sided with the Rük?”

“Idon’t know what to think anymore,” Reniko said. She paused and rubbed her head.

“Areyou sure you’re okay?” Malik asked stepping behind Reniko and sliding his handsacross her waist.

“It’snothing, my back is just a bit itchy. Do you mind?” Reniko asked. Malik let goof Reniko and they sat on the floor as Malik gently scratched Reniko’s back.

“Outin the hall, Rimca ran off with a man named Ryne. Do you know him?” Renikoasked.

“I’dnever seen him before this day. He seems to be my father’s new advisor.”

“Imet him when I was in the dungeon. He looked familiar to me, I just can’t placewhy,” Reniko said and added. “Is it hot in here?”

Malikglanced around the room and noticed the window was still wide open. “I was justthinking about closing the window, I’ll leave it open for you.”

“Thanks,”Reniko said wiping beads of sweat off her forehead. Malik stopped rubbingReniko’s back and glanced at her worriedly.

“Renikoyou don’t look so good.”

Renikoturned to him her eyes glassy and unfocused. “Malik, I feel strange.Something’s happening.” Reniko began to get to her feet and swayed. Malik lungedforward and grabbed her as she fell. She was burning hot to the touch and sweatwas trickling steadily down her forehead.

“Hangon Reniko. I’ll get help,” Malik said cradling Reniko in his arms. Ifthey’ve killed her I swear they will not see tomorrow.

Thedoor burst open and Malik looked up into the eyes of a stranger.

“Whoare you?” Malik asked as the man rushed forward and kneeled next to Malik,grasping tightly to one of Reniko’s hands.

“I’mtoo late,” the man whispered clutching Reniko’s hand protectively. “Reniko?Reniko can you hear me?” he called out to her.

Renikoopened her eyes in response to the voice trying to focus. “Am I dreaming? Dare?Is that you?”

“Reniko,listen to me carefully. Whatever happens, fight. Your body is just trying to dowhat it was supposed to do a long time ago,” Dertrik said.

“Dare,I wish it was really you.”

“Itis Reniko, I’m here. Stay with us, it will all be over soon I promise.”

“Dare,what’s happening?”

“Alot. A lot of things I should have told you about a long time ago.”

ThenReniko heard no more.