Call of Descent
Chapter Sixteen

Itwasn’t until late that evening that Reniko started to feel her body again. Thelack of movement had made Reniko rather drowsy and not long after Malik hadcarried her away from the battlegrounds she had fallen asleep. She woke up whenher leg twitched. The movement felt like a blessing and she was relieved toknow that the paralysis wasn’t permanent. Malik had reassured her that it wouldnot be, but she had still been uneasy. He had never been affected by the toxinsand that put in the seed of doubt.

Shesmiled and warily opened her eyes, testing out the extent of damage the atrophyhad done to her body. She was weak, weaker than she had ever felt in her entirelifetime. Though she could feel her body, she felt that movement was not yetfully restored.

Therustling of her small movements woke Malik who had been asleep nearby and hecrossed the room quickly to stand by Reniko’s bed.

“It’sgood to see you moving again,” Malik said, smoothing down the covers so thatReniko caught a glimpse of his face. She looked Malik over; his face lookedblack and blue and portions of it were covered in bandages.

“Youlook terrible,” Reniko said, her words slurred from sore vocal cords. Shewinced and placed her hand to her throat.

“I’lllive. So will you. Don’t push yourself too much. You still have some of thetoxins in your system. Give yourself some time.”

“Whathappened back there?” Reniko asked, ignoring the searing pain and the slurredwords.

“Wellafter Rimca showed up and took care of one of the Rük, Jarnen and I had aneasier time with the last two –”

“Rimca?”Reniko asked.

“She’sa friend of mine. I’ll introduce you in the morning.”

“Noneed, we’ve met,” Reniko said.

“Youhave? When?”

“InRownie. She paid me a visit in the bath house.”

“Whydidn’t you say anything?"

“Shenever mentioned she knew you, and I wasn’t exactly pleased with ourconversation. Never mind that. Finish telling me what happened.”

“Wesaw you and what Kruok did to you. I’ve never seen someone still lift a swordwith the amount of toxins you had in your system. Watching you nearly got mekilled, but Jarnen saved me, as did Rimca. We tried to get to you, but by thetime we had taken care of the Rük, Kruok was galloping away. That’s when I sawPenumbra. He’s fast as the wind! When he caught up with Kruok he took her down.Knocked you and Kruok of the horse and stabbed right through Kruok with thathorn of his. Pierced right through her armoured hide like it wasn’t even there.That’s about all there is to tell. Rimca took care of the wounds that Kruokleft you with. She did a fine job of it too.”

“I’llhave to thank her. So Kruok is dead?”

“Webelieve so. We didn’t have time to stick around and see. There was a largegroup of Rük headed to the farm. I’m not sure how they found out about ourfight but they were coming and we couldn’t stay. With our best fighter full oftoxins we didn’t stand a chance. The farm is probably gone by now, burned tothe ground. I’m terribly sorry I brought Jarnen and his family into this.”

“Soam I,” Reniko said, easing back the covers and gingerly sitting up. She noticedthe fine work that Rimca had done on her wounds. They were all sewn up andhealing nicely. She winced as the pain from movement hit her, feeling it deepwithin her legs.

“Restsome more, Reniko, you don’t have enough strength yet,” Malik said, pushinglightly on Reniko’s shoulders forcing her back into bed. She didn’t have enoughstrength to resist and instead sank heavily into the covers.

“Youknow, that’s the first time I have ever lost a fight,” Reniko said,disheartened. “Well, I mean, Dertrik thoroughly thrashed me on many occasions,but when it really mattered, in all the tournaments and honour fights, I neverlost. All those were nothing, nothing compared to what I faced today. I wasn’tprepared for it, not for a real battle.”

“Everyoneloses at some time or another. Any battle you can walk away from is one youhave won is it not?”

“Maybehere, but I learned a long time ago that you can walk away from a battledefeated. I’ve done it to too many people. I had too much pride, I guess. Yes,you’re right, I’m alive,” Reniko said, turning onto her side facing away fromMalik. “But you know, you definitely have some things to learn about fightingand I could use some more practice.”

Malikstood up from his chair. “You mean to train with me?”

“Ifyou’d like,” Reniko said, turning back to face Malik, “Not as a master with astudent, but a friend helping a friend?”

“I’dlike that.”

“You’vebeen waiting for this, haven’t you?” Reniko asked looking at Malik’s eagerface. Malik nodded slightly. “Why did you never ask?”

“Icouldn’t bring myself to. You looked like you were in so much pain when youheld Imako. I could not bring myself to ask you to train me in something thatbrought you so much pain.”

“I’msorry, Malik. Sorry I waited so long, sorry that I’ve kept so distant from youwhen you have tried so hard to help me. I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. Ihave so much to learn.”

“Weall do. Get some rest, Reniko. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thankyou, Malik. Thank you for everything.”

Malikmade no response, just dimmed the light and slipped out the door, leavingReniko alone. Reniko closed her eyes trying to regain the sleep she had heldmoments earlier, trying to ease past the pain – the pain of her wounds bothphysical and mental.

WhenReniko awoke the next morning, her body felt stiff and sore, but her strengthhad returned to her. As she dressed she noticed that someone had mended herclothing. She slipped into her clothes with slight discomfort and headed out ofthe small sleeping room.

Sherealized when she stepped out of the comforts of the bedroom that she wasunderground. No natural light filtered in through any window. She was insteadgreeted by the light of fire bouncing off rock and earth walls. Amma stood nextto the fire tending to a simmering pot. Mattus was sitting nearby watching histhree brothers play.

“It’sgood to see you up,” Amma said, smiling at Reniko as she gently closed thedoor.

“I’msorry, Amma,” Reniko said.

“Nothingto be sorry about. Jarnen and I knew the dangers when we joined the resistance.It’s why we have this place, this sanctuary.”

“Willyou stay in Mistfall?”

“No,we plan on going to Mountain Side. Most of the resistance members are gatheringthere. The last remaining Teoko on Edonal Eclith are there as well.”

“IsMalik here?” Reniko asked, feeling uncomfortable in the confines of thesecluded shelter.

“He’soutside with his friend.”

“Thank-you,”Reniko said.

Shemade her way down the narrow tunnel that led out to daylight. When she steppedoutside, she saw Malik and Rimca before the two friends spotted her. She camein the middle of a conversation and with piqued interest she stood out of viewto listen.

“Youhave to go back, Malik. Orric said they’re getting close and no one islistening to him,” Rimca pleaded. Her voice was soft and innocent, so unlikethe fiery woman Reniko had encountered in Rownie.

“Don’ttell me my place, Rimca, when you defy your own as well. I’ll go back when Ican. Right now I have other things that need to be taken care of.”

“It’sthat girl isn’t it? What’s your fascination with her?”

“Youhaven’t seen her fight, Rimca. She could teach me things that may help us winthe war.”

“Shedidn’t look that great to me. She lost to that puny female Rük. How good canshe be?”

“Shedidn’t know about the toxins. She was injured before the fight even began.”

“Ican fight just as well as she can. Learn from me.”

“RimcaI –” Reniko leaned forward and caused a small hail of rocks to descend from anearby ledge, Malik stopped mid-sentence and glanced in her direction.

“Sorryto intrude,” Reniko said, stepping out of the shadow of the cliff and into themidst of her comrades.

“It’sbetter than listening in on our conversation,” Rimca said glaring at Reniko.

“Ididn’t mean –” Reniko hesitated since she had been doing just that.

“Rimca,what is your problem?” Malik asked.

“Nothing,I’m just tired. I had a long journey to get here. I’ll be in the shelter if youneed me,” Rimca said, as she started back toward the entrance of the hiddenshelter.

“Wait,Rimca. I need you to do something for me,” Malik said, catching her hand inhis. She stopped and turned back to Malik, pleased with the contact andattention. Reniko watched with curiosity. I think Rimca’s in love with himand he doesn’t know it, Reniko thought as Rimca stopped walking and turnedback with glassy eyes.

“Renikoand I are heading to Reflaydun and we need you to tell Orric. Get Orric to meetus along the way. I’ll give you a map, and show you where we will be. It’s veryimportant that Orric get this message.”

“Reflaydun!You know where the ancient capital is? The lost city of the Levanith! I’mcoming with you,” Rimca said, regaining the childishness in her voice.

“Youcan’t, you’re the only one I can depend on to get word back to Orric.”

“I’malways just the messenger,” Rimca said, as she stormed back to the shelter.

Whenshe had left, Reniko looked to Malik. “Is she always like that?”

“Mostof the time,” Malik said, sighing.

“Whereis Jarnen?” Reniko asked as she took a seat on a nearby outcropping of rock.

“Arrangingour ride to Mistfall Caverns.”

“Willhe be all right in town?"

“Heseems to think so. He does know the town better than I do.”

Renikonodded. “So how did you and Rimca meet?”

“Imet her three years ago on Mo’an Delar. She ran away from home and straightinto trouble. I helped her out in a tough spot and she’s kind of clung to meever since. Orric and I teased her all the time when she would follow usaround, but now she’s become a great friend. You can always rely on Rimca.”Malik took a seat by Reniko and began staring off into the waves of the lakethat could be seen in the distance.

“Idid come out here for a reason you know,” Reniko said, interrupting Malik’sthoughts.

“What?”Malik said, confused by the playful tone in Reniko’s voice.

“Youready to face my blade?” Reniko asked, pulling free a pair of wooden bokkenfrom amongst the folds of her cloak.

“Areyou serious? Now? But you’re hurt,” Malik said.

“I’mstiff and sore, yes, which just means I need to warm up. Just go easy on me,”Reniko said with a grin as she tossed Malik one of the bokken.

“Mego easy on you?” Malik said with a laugh tossing aside his cloak. Renikofollowed suit and soon the two were facing each other in silence.

“Justshow me what you know. We’ll work from there,” Reniko said.

Malikstopped and gave her an incredulous look. “You make it look like I knownothing,” he said gesturing to Reniko’s left arm where she held her bokken.

Renikolooked and shrugged, “I don’t mean to offend you, Malik, it’s just my right armis still a little too tender to fight with, and it will give me a chance towork on my left handed fighting skills.”

Malikglared at her and got back into position. Reniko observed his every movement,watching the way he handled his weapon and the way he moved his feet. Sheattacked first after she realized that Malik was hesitant to start the mockbattle. When they had finished their round, Reniko came out the victor andMalik’s chest was heaving from laboured breathing.

“Notbad,” Reniko said, controlling her breath. “However, you have a lot to learn.First things first.” Reniko came up beside Malik and stood at his side.

“Firstoff, you rely too heavily on strength. The point is not to use all yourstrength at once but use as little as possible, conserve your energy until youhave figured out your opponent. In time instead of relying on just your energyyou will be able to use the energy that your opponent uses against you to youradvantage.”

“So,less strength?”

“Yes,you have to have more endurance and patience. Don’t be so aggressive, that’s aRük tactic.”

“Endurance,less aggressive, I can do that.”

“Okay,saying it is one thing, doing another. Do as I do,” Reniko said as she laidaside the bokken. Malik watched as she began working her way through a seriesof stances. It didn’t take Malik long to learn them and soon he was followingReniko’s movements in perfect unison.

“Allright, now everything you just saw, try to do it slower, prolong each movementand gesture. Carry out the movements with calmness and patience,” Reniko said.She showed Malik the first form in a slow exaggerated way. Malik followed herexample. Three motions later, Malik was beaded with sweat and his concentrationwas broken.

“Thisis harder than it looks. Will this really help me fight?”

“Itwill if you do it every day. In the meantime, we’ll still have our mockbattles. It’s not like we have the ten years I need to teach you.”

“Tenyears?”

“Longer,actually, but don’t worry, you don’t need to master Rumeum’antra.”

“Guessnot, I just need to survive the battles,” Malik said.

“Allright now for the most important lesson. This you should always keep in mind.”

Maliknodded listening intently to Reniko.

“It’snot just mastering the body, it’s about knowing your body, feeling the energyand letting it help guide you in the way it should be directed. A fight is notjust physical, but mental as well. When you have mastery over your mind, therest will come. Ready for another round?” Reniko asked picking up the bokkenand turning to face Malik once again.

“Mastermy mind and the rest will come. I’m not ready, but let’s do this anyway.”Reniko laughed and the lesson began once again.

Rimcawatched the two of them from above, perched on the grassy cliff. She wasdisgusted by her. Repulsed by the way she moved and acted. She couldn’tunderstand why Malik was helping her at all. She was careless. In Rownie shehad let her guard down completely. I could have slit her throat and shewould never even have opened her eyes. Rimca clenched her hands: They were shaking slightly from her anger. Justa messenger girl, nothing more. Why do I put up with this? The laughterfrom below filtered up to Rimca and she glanced at the two. Reniko had defeatedMalik again. She does have skill, I give her that. She watched a fewmoments more and, tiring of the affection between them, she stormed away from thecliff and back toward the entrance to the shelter.

Onher way, she passed Penumbra and with an appraising glance decided to stop.

“Whatdo you all see in her?” Rimca shouted at the unicorn. Penumbra glanced at Rimcawith a stony gaze.

Youreyes are clouded with jealousy, child, Penumbra spoke.Rimca scowled at him and stormed away.

“I’mnot jealous. Not of her anyway.”

“Ithink that’s enough for today,” Reniko said, tossing the bokken on top of hercloak.

“Wheredid you replace these anyway?” Malik asked as he made his way over to hispossessions and sat down to rest.

“Thebokken? They were in that room I was sleeping in. There was quite an assortmentof weapons in there. When I saw the bokken I thought it was a perfect time toprove good on my word.” Reniko sat as well, wincing in pain. Malik caught thepain on her face and became concerned.

“Wedidn’t overdo it, did we?” he asked.

“Maybejust a little, I have a habit of overdoing it,” she mumbled as she clutched herleg.

“Let’sgo back inside. Rimca can take another look at it,” Malik said as he began togather his things.

“I’llbe fine. I’m not so bad at treating wounds myself,” Reniko said. Malik lookedtaken back at the bitterness in her voice.

“Isthere something I should know?”

“It’snothing. I just don’t think Rimca likes me all that much and I don’t want totrouble her when I can do it just fine.”

“Ican talk to her about it if you’d like. I don’t know why she’s acting this waytoward you, it’s not like her.”

“No,it’s fine Malik. I’ll talk with her, we’ll work it out.”

“Ifyou say so.” Reniko grabbed her cloak and bokken, and carrying them in herarms, headed back toward the tunnel entrance.

“Nowit’s my turn to thank you, Lyss.” Malik said as he walked behind Reniko.

Renikostopped and turned. “Lyss?”

Malikjust grinned and brushed past her.

“Lyss?Malik! That’s not fair, what are you talking about?” Reniko shouted as she ranafter Malik who had already disappeared into the tunnel.

Jarnenwas waiting for them as they entered the room. Rimca sat silently in the cornerwatching as Malik came in laughing, Reniko chasing him. He used to tease melike that, she thought and glared at Reniko.

“Jarnen.”Malik stopped laughing as he noticed the older man.

“Well,everything has been arranged. You’ll be leaving in two days’ time. I suggestyou gather what supplies you need before then. Be careful though. There aremore Rük than ever roaming the streets after what happened at our farm. I don’tthink you will be recognized. As of yet, no one really knows what happenedthere. But I heard rumors that that white Rük Kruok is still alive.”

Renikostopped smiling and instead looked sombre. “She’s alive?”

“Notreally sure where she is though. She may have left town, no one is really sure.They were talking so much about her ‘cause it turns out she comes from Cralay.Sent here by Edonal Eclith’s Rük Lord, Orborok. His word is law on thiscontinent, so when one of his representatives comes to town, they supersede thelaws here. This causes a lot more trouble than if we were just dealing with thelocal Rük authority. Orborok is known for his vengeance.”

“Notthat it really changes anything. This Orborok has been after me from the start.I originally slew a few of his Rük trying to save my life. It’s what startedthis mess,” Reniko said, taking a seat at the table that took up most of thesmall room.

“Aye,might not be too different, just be wary that the local Rük are more –” Jarnenstopped and grimaced.

“Iget the point. We’ll be careful when we go into town, Jarnen,” Malik put in.

“Well,lunch is ready,” Amma said setting a pot of steaming soup in the centre of thecrowded table.

“Thatlate already?” Malik said. The smell wafted to his nose making his stomachprotest its hunger.

“Iguess we got a little carried away,” Reniko said as she began to help herself.

“Guessyou did,” Rimca said, sliding into the chair between Malik and Reniko. Renikolooked in Rimca’s direction, only now aware that the girl was in the room.Rimca gave her a sour look and dished up her food. Rimca remained silent forthe remainder of the meal, content with the fact that her presence made Renikouncomfortable.

Thatevening, tired of the stifling heat of the underground shelter, Reniko headedinto the open air. She found Penumbra at the top of the cliff. He was lying inthe grass staring off into the reaches of the salty lake. Reniko took a seatnear him and watched the first of the moons rise.

“Youplan on coming with us to the Mistfall Caverns?” Reniko asked.

Ihave no reason to leave you, and every reason to stay,Penumbra said, still gazing into the moonlit water.

“That’sreassuring,” Reniko said. The two companions fell into a comfortable silence.

Thesilence was only broken when Reniko heard noise coming from behind her.Penumbra turned to look at the source and with a suddenness jumped to his feetand trotted away. Reniko confused by the sudden change in her companion turnedas well to look at the source of the noise. Rimca stood only feet away, a hardexpression on her face.

Renikowas the first to speak. “I’m trying to understand why you hate me so much,” shesaid, turning her attention back to the rising moon the second satellite justnow peaking over the horizon.

Rimcasat beside Reniko without saying a word. The two of them sat in a calm silenceuntil the second moon had fully risen. Rimca turned to Reniko suddenly and satstaring at her. Reniko looked back feeling uncomfortable under the young girl’sgaze. After sitting with unspoken words, staring at each other for a fewmoments, Rimca finally broke her gaze, brushing her hair behind her ear as shedid so. It was then that Reniko noticed something unusual about the girl; herears were pointed severely.

“You’renot human, are you?” Reniko said, again breaking the silence between them.

“Nope,”Rimca said. She fixed her gaze on her feet dangling over the cliff’s edge.

“Whatare you then? On Earth you’d almost be considered an elf.”

“Youheard of the Le’a’to?” Rimca said, her voice soft and strangely sad.

“Vaguely,when I was at Savonly. No one ever really told me what they looked like.”

“You’relooking at one.”

“DoesMalik know?”

Rimcagave Reniko an incredulous look. “Of course he knows, everyone knows.”

“Sorry,I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Sure,whatever.” Again the silence persisted. Reniko began to get annoyed and finallystood up to leave.

“Whydo you do that?” Rimca said, halting Reniko in her tracks.

“Dowhat?”

“Dresslike a man?”

Renikolooked down at her clothes. She could replace nothing wrong with the way shelooked. “Where I come from, women and men can wear similar clothing. I’ve neverreally felt comfortable wearing a dress. Besides, it’s impractical whenfighting or training.”

“WellI don’t seem to replace anything inconvenient about it, and I fight just as wellas you.” Rimca stood and Reniko looked the girl over. The light from the twomoons highlighted the two of them with remarkable clarity and she saw thatRimca was indeed wearing a dress. It was a muted purple, glowing with the palemoonlight. The skirt was short sitting well above her knees and Reniko couldsee a pair of short black hose peaking from underneath. Rimca’s deep brownleather boots reached to her knees and were laced with lighter leather. Thecolours of her clothing set off her auburn hair, which was framing the cocky smirkthat she now wore. “You might want to follow the customs of the land better ifyou don’t want to stand so far apart from it.”

“Whydo you care so much?” Reniko asked annoyed by this girl’s demeanour.

“Itannoys me to see a woman acting like a man.”

“Wellyou won’t have to see it for much longer.”

“You’rethe one that wanted to know why I disliked you so much. That’s the reason. Ihate seeing women that hate being women.”

“Idon’t hate being a woman, Rimca. I like who I am. I’m not trying to be a man.I’m just being who I am. You should respect that.”

“Comehere, and let me look at who you are,” Rimca said a hint of annoyance stillhidden in her voice. Reniko took a step closer to Rimca. She nearly jumped whenRimca suddenly grabbed her hand and began examining it. Rimca traced over thelines in Reniko’s palm, the act of which eased the tension from her. When Rimcafinally looked into Reniko’s eyes, Reniko was already slightly dazed. Her guarddown, Rimca began searching her eyes for something.

“Theysay you can see the truth in the eyes of a person. Do you believe that,Reniko?” Rimca whispered drawing Reniko deeper into Rimca’s gaze. Reniko feltlight headed and began falling backward, anchored only by Rimca’s hold on herhand.

“Whatare you doing?” Reniko asked almost incapable of forming the words. She triedto look away from Rimca but couldn’t. Locked in Rimca’s gaze Reniko’s barriersbroke. Rimca watched her eyes flood with a thousand thoughts and feelings and,suddenly wide eyed, Rimca let out a short gasp and released Reniko’s hand.Reniko stumbled backward as the strange spell was broken.

Shakingher head she looked back at Rimca whose back was facing her. “What was that?”

“ALe’a’to skill. We are able to draw the truth from a person.”

“Idon’t understand,” Reniko said, still unsteady on her feet.

“Idon’t expect you to. I have to go,” Rimca said, running past Reniko toward thepath that led down to the underground shelter. Reniko watched her go, stillunnerved by the effects of Rimca’s gaze.

Sheis older than she lets on, Penumbra said as he came up besideReniko.

“Isaw that,” Reniko said.

It’sa rare thing for a human to be able to see the truth in a Le’a’to, though theydo become vulnerable when they are drawing on you.

“Malikdoesn’t know does he? Doesn’t know that Rimca is far older than him.”

Idon’t think so. I believe he only sees the child that she lets him see.

“Whatdo you think she saw?” Reniko asked as she watched the last moon rise into thesky.

Whatthe rest of us all see: you.