Call of Descent
Chapter Thirty

Thatevening they landed in a grove of trees using the shelter of the greenery tokeep them hidden from prying eyes. They lit no fire that night and instead atea cold meal with what little provisions they had left. Their hurried departurefrom Mountain Side had left them unable to gather the things they had neededand now, as night descended and they prepared for sleep, they realized thatthey no longer had enough bedding, there now being three persons instead oftwo.

“We’llbe fine, Rimca can just sleep with me,” Reniko said ending the argument thatRimca was having with Malik. Rimca stopped mid-sentence when Reniko spoke andglared at her. Reniko could only imagine why.

“Wellnow that that is settled, who wants to take first watch?” Malik asked. Rimcawas still pouting, mad at Reniko’s solution and said nothing in response toMalik’s question.

“I’lltake first watch,” Orric said.

“Allright, I’ll take second,” Malik replied.

“I’lltake third, and I guess that leaves Rimca with the last watch,” Reniko said.

“Well,I’m heading to bed,” Rimca said as she stormed in the direction of Reniko’sbedding. Reniko followed heading passed Malik.

“Itlooks like she’s back to her old self,” she muttered to him as she wandered by.Malik just looked at her and grinned. He was completely unaware of the tensionbetween the two women.

WhenReniko finally made it to her bedding, Rimca was lying to one side her backturned to Reniko and her breathing already rhythmic. Reniko sat at the cornerof the blankets and took off her boots and cloak. When she finally slipped intothe blankets she was uncomfortably aware of how close Rimca was to her. Sheturned her back to Rimca and tried to sleep, only to have her mind fill with amillion things that she wanted to ask Rimca. If only she were still awake.

Asthe small camp finally became silent and everyone was sleeping except Orric,Reniko finally began to relax, only to be disturbed by Rimca shifting her position.

“Malik’sasleep now, we can talk,” she heard Rimca whisper in her ear. Renikoimmediately sat up and turned to the Le’a’to.

“Okayfirst off what’s with you and Malik? Why do you pretend to be such a childaround him?”

“Idon’t know what you’re talking about,” Rimca replied.

“Ohdon’t give me that, I know you’re older than you look.”

Silencefollowed and Rimca said, “Why would you think that.”

“Becausewhen you did that little trick of yours in Mistfall, you weren’t the only onethat saw something.”

Anotherlong pause ensued and Reniko really wished there was light so she could seeRimca’s reactions.

“Itdoesn’t work that way,” Rimca finally said.

“That’snot what Pen said. He told me that when you use your skill that you becomevulnerable to it as well.”

“Penumbra,”she spoke the name with a sigh, “of course he would tell you that. What did yousee?”

“Icould ask you the same thing,” Reniko retorted.

“Iasked first,” Rimca said.

“AllI saw was age behind that childish form of yours. I saw years of wisdom, morethan I’ve seen in a human’s eyes.”

“I’mnot that old, according to Le’a’to age. I’m only a hundred and ten. Not eveninto child bearing age.”

“Somy first question still stands. Why do you act the way you do around Malik?”

“He’dbe intimidated if he knew I was older than him. That would be awful. You won’ttell him will you?”

“It’snot my place to.”

Rimcawas silent.

“So,what did you see, in my eyes?” Reniko asked.

“It’snot my place to tell,” Rimca replied.

“What?You invaded my privacy and you won’t tell me what you learned. I think I haveevery right to know.”

“What’sthe point, everything I learned is already up in that head of yours. Do youreally want me to repeat what you already know?"

“Itdoesn’t matter what I say, you’re not going to tell me are you?”

“LikeI said, it’s not my place to tell.”

Itwas Reniko’s turn to fall into silence pondering Rimca’s cryptic answer.

“Ihave another question,” Reniko finally said, “Jarnen and Amma. They said theywere heading to Mountain Side…” She let her sentence trail off afraid what theanswer would be.

“Don’tworry, after I ran into Orric with Malik’s message he told me what happened atMountain Side, I made sure that the resistance members heard about it. I sentthem to Savonly instead. I’m sure Jarnen, Amma and the boys are all fine.”

Rimca’sanswer assuaged Reniko’s troubled mind and she eased her body back down intothe blankets.

“Iwas wondering, why do you hide your feelings for Malik?” Reniko asked suddenlycausing another uncomfortable silence.

“You’revery perceptive,” Rimca said and she too eased herself back into the blankets.“It’s a little complicated.”

“Isthat your way of saying it’s none of my business?”

“No.You’re not from Vespen so you wouldn’t understand, but I’m already engaged tobe married.”

“Anarranged marriage?” Reniko asked.

“Ofa sort yes.”

“Isthat why you’re rushing to get home?”

“Partly.”

“Whygo back? Why not tell Malik how you feel and just not go home.”

“It’snot that simple. My race is dying. The Le’a’to have children rarely, so ifthere is even a possible chance that I can produce an heir I have to, my titlebinds me in that way. Humans and Le’a’to are not compatible. We may look likeyou, but I would never have children if I married Malik.”

Renikowas moved by the thought that Rimca had such loyalty to her race. Would I dothe same thing?

“Besides,”Rimca continued, “Malik doesn’t share my feelings for him. I’m not the only onein love with someone I can’t have.”

Renikowas shocked. She didn’t know what to say. She had no idea how to take that.Reniko looked in Malik’s direction unable to see him because of the dark night.Does she mean me?

Jekkahflew in the night sky listening and looking for any sign of his brother. He hadmet with the Rük army at Mountain Side and heard reports from them that Orricand his humans had fled only hours before. He was close, he knew it. He had nointention of letting Orric slip through his fingers so easily. Orborok wasperched on Jekkah’s spinal ridge also scanning the sky and earth for signs ofthe Teoko and his human companions. As the night sky darkened however Orborokgave out a frustrated cry.

“We’llhave to stop for the night, Jekkah. It’s no use traveling on in the dark. We’lljust end up missing them completely.”

“Asyou wish, Sire,” Jekkah replied.

“Theywill not leave Edonal Eclith unless they are in our custody,” Orborok said; hisvoice gathering rage with each thought he had of Reniko.

“I’llmake sure of it,” Jekkah replied as he landed on the soft earth, their huntconcluded until morning.

Renikowas awoken by Rimca just as twilight reached the earth. She could see everyonebusily packing away their things and she followed suit, snacking on dried fruitas she did so. The conversation with Rimca came back to mind and she stopped herwork and stared in Malik’s direction. He was busy packing away his things andsecuring them to Orric. Rimca noticed her stares and walked closer to Renikoputting a hand on her shoulder.

“Comeon, we don’t know how close Jekkah and the Rük are,” Rimca said helping Renikopack away the rest of her things.

Theyleft before the sun rose, the cool morning air awakening them all more fully.Malik had taken point, with Reniko in the middle. Rimca sat in the back quietand not acting her usual self. Looks like I wasn’t the only one touched byour conversation, Reniko thought as she cast a wary glance back at Rimca.She was staring into the distance behind them watching the skies for any signof Jekkah. Reniko cast her gaze in that same direction and turned her gazeforward once again. They’ve put me in the middle because they’re trying toprotect me, Reniko realized suddenly, and by doing so they’ve given meabsolutely nothing to do. She gave a sigh that was lost to the wind andsettled in for the flight. Her only consolation was that despite the dangerthey were in, and the amount of time she had spent flying since coming toVespen, she still enjoyed it immensely. If I had it my way I would neverleave the skies, she thought, smiling as she watched the sun rise in theeast causing the sky to burst into an array of pinks and oranges. She beganhumming before she realized what she was doing and the soft music drifted toRimca’s ears.

“Wheredid you learn that?” Rimca asked, “In Savonly?”

Renikostopped humming and turned to Rimca. “No, my mother used to sing it to me whenI was very young. She said it was to help me through times when I was scared oralone. I’ve always been comforted by it.”

“Interesting,would you mind singing it to me?” This conversation peeked Malik’s interest andhe too turned to listen. Reniko became suddenly aware of the attention andfroze.

“Ican’t sing well,” Reniko mumbled.

Rimcaturned and looked at Reniko. “I won’t laugh. I just want to hear it is all.”

Renikogave a sigh and looked forward to see Malik staring at her.

“Ijust want to listen as well. I won’t say a word,” Malik said when he realizedthat Reniko was waiting for him to say something. His response was not what shehad had in mind.

“Allright, it’s just a simple lullaby,” Reniko said and she began to sing inEnglish.

As you dream safe in your homeland

Holdingyour wishes safe in your heart

Catchhold of the moonlight and wake into flight

Andwish for your homeland to be safe this night

Spreadyour wings to the sky

And take to the heavens

Upso high watching the sunrise

Seejoy in your homeland on earth far below

Another day of peace has dawned

Bring no worries into your heart

For trouble has passed without even a glance

For sheltered you are in your homeland so fair

Asshe finished the last verse she looked at Rimca who was smiling and blushed.

“Ihave no idea what you just said but it sounds just as beautiful as ourversion,” Rimca said, “I’m guessing the meaning is the same as well.”

“Yourversion? You’ve heard that song before?” Reniko asked.

“Yousaid your mother taught it to you right? Well, we did have trade routes withearth, so I’m guessing your family learned it from one of our families onVespen and translated it to your language. It’s very old, so I wouldn’t besurprised. Though your version is a lot shorter than ours.”

“Whatabout you Malik? Have you heard that song before?” Reniko asked.

“Itwas very beautiful, but I’ve never heard it before,” Malik said.

“Oh,you’ve got to be joking Malik, every child on Vespen knows that song.”

“Areyou talking of Riido’isa?” Malik asked.

“Shemust be,” Reniko cut in, “riido’isa in English is homeland which is thetitle of the song I just sang.”

“WellI wouldn’t have thought it was the same song at all had Rimca not said anything,”Malik said.

“That’sbecause you’re tone deaf Malik,” Rimca replied, “Here I’ll sing our versionReniko.”

Ilmai soessa oresu nia mann riido’isa

Koeenanmann iiasaen oresu nia mann kayell

Udookoee fye lall kovessumay iza kiindess nianov wessisa

Izaiiasa iis mann riido’isa nov ri oresu ziisa vellessii

Uannumann levaniien nov lall yuii

Izaikuii nov lall syta’yuii

Ee isyta kayonan lall voess’uday

Lellsudoss nia mann riido’isa riiss Vespen duiia zesilla

Roeshaviiss fye sentra efas hiasus

Rasiinisha okaiisa nianov mann kayell

Iisissta efas fasriis yuaoro nessi nah kesta

Iisotaniis mai kess nia mann riido’isa i edess

Reniko noticed the similarity right away.

She became so caught up in Rimca’s beautifulvoice that she barely remembered that the Le’a’to was waiting for a response.“It’s so strange that our cultures blend as much as they do, especially sinceno one on Earth even knows that this planet exists,” Reniko said once Rimca hadfinished.

“Yes, very strange indeed,” Rimca said. Renikogazed at Rimca unnerved by the tone in her voice and the look in her eyes. Whatis she expecting from me?

“Hate to interrupt you two, but I think we’regoing to have company,” Malik said.

Renikoglanced behind Reniko and saw the glint of sunshine on scales. She could justmake out the silhouette of another dragon still far in the distance.

“Do you think we can outrun them?” Renikoasked. Rimca seemed to have other ideas. She had shifted from her seat onOrric’s back and was standing precariously on his spinal ridge casting her gazebackwards.

“I think we may have a little over an hourbefore he catches up,” Orric said, “He may be older than me, but he’s also muchsmaller.”

“He has four passengers, so that may slow himdown,” Rimca said from her vantage point. Reniko was amazed at the deftnesswith which she stayed perched on top of Orric’s moving body.

“You can see that far?” Reniko asked lookingbehind once again and noting that all she could see was the reflection of sunon a small object.

“Archery is my weapon for a reason,” Rimcasaid. She turned to look back at Reniko her brow furrowed with thought. “Orrictry and fly as smoothly as possible.”

“Why?” Orric asked.

“Just do what she says,” Malik added as hewatched Rimca slide down Orric’s side.

“You’re going to have to adjust for a weightshift,” Reniko said, “lean to the right.” Orric complied balancing out hisflight as Rimca eased her way down his side. When she was out of sight bothMalik and Reniko watched the taught rope that held her, holding their breathsin suspense.

“Alright I’ve got it, can someone pull me backup?” They heard Rimca shout. Reniko looked in Malik’s directions and shruggingmade her way to Rimca’s rope. Malik followed and within minutes Rimca was backseated on Orric’s spinal ridge a bow and a quiver of arrows in her hand.

“Where did you get those?” Reniko asked. Shenoted that the quiver was really just a small backpack that Malik had carriedaround, the arrows however looked immaculate.

“I made them last night,” Rimca said.

“The bow as well?” Reniko asked.

Rimca nodded. “I make arrows all the time. Wehad all the materials I needed, it wasn’t so hard.”

“Youwouldn’t happen to have made more than one bow?” Reniko asked.

“Why, can you use one?”

“Icould, maybe not as good as you, but well enough,” Reniko replied.

“Whatabout you Malik?” Rimca asked.

“Sorry,I barely know how to wield a sword.”

“Isthat a yes or no?” Reniko asked Rimca. Rimca replied by handing Reniko a bowstaff to string. Reniko strung her bow as did Rimca and they waited.

“How many arrows do we have?” Reniko asked.

“Abouta dozen each, I didn’t have time to make more than that.”

“We’lljust have to make our shots count.”

“Herethey come,” Rimca said as Jekkah’s form loomed ominously close behind them, “Ithink they are about in range now.” Rimca grabbed an arrow and knocked it intoto place. Reniko began to stand, positioning herself next to Rimca. Orric’smovements, however, caused her to slip and fall. Frustrated she opened herconnection with Orric and found his rhythm. Only then was she able to standsteady next to Rimca.

Rimcalooked at her confused. “How did you do that?” she asked.

“Dowhat?” Reniko asked as she too knocked an arrow into place.

“Dowhat, you were just a stumbling mess a few minutes ago and now you’re standingwith the ease of a Le’a’to.”

“Iguess I just engaged my centre,” Reniko said smiling. “Shouldn’t we be moreconcerned with what’s following us?”

Rimcascowled at Reniko and turned to face their pursuers. Taking careful aim shedrew her bowstring taught. She calculated the movement of Orric’s body as wellas the wind and the speed at which Jekkah was gaining and let loose her arrow.It arched through the air gracefully. Jekkah didn’t notice the projectile untilit was nearly too late and he let out a shocked cry as he dove downward toavoid the arrow. The arrow however struck one of the Rük on Jekkah’s backembedding itself into his shoulder. Shocked and in pain, the Rük was sent offbalance and he tumbled from Jekkah’s back and was left plunging to the earthfar below.

“Bythe maker, he’s quick,” Rimca said as she grabbed another arrow from the pile.

“Aimfor his wing joints. The flesh is soft there,” Orric said.

Itwas Reniko’s turn to take aim and she did, letting her arrow fly. Her targethad been a Rük though Jekkah had not realized such, and as he veered to theside, the arrow embedded itself into the soft flesh of his wing. He gave a crybut did not falter in flight

“Infuriatingpests,” Jekkah spat as this time two arrows converged on him at once. Heevaded, one deflecting off the hard scales covering his neck and the othercatching a Rük square in the chest

“Watchwhat you are doing, Jekkah, I want to survive this flight as well,” Orboroksaid as he watched another of his men plummet to his death.

Jekkahgave a low growl and shot higher into the sky out of range of Rimca’s arrows.“I hope you don’t mind thin air,” Jekkah said as the climbed steadily into theclouds

“Justdon’t lose them,” Orborok said as he watched the figures of his prey shrink insize.

“They’reabove us Orric,” Reniko shouted letting her bow fall to her side.

“Keepyour eyes open. When they descend be ready to attack,” Orric replied. Rimca hadher bow aimed into the sky above them tracking the Teoko as he gained on theirposition.

Jekkahgazed at the figures below him and he opened himself to their feelings tryingto guess how to approach the situation. He became aware of his brother quickly;he was full of determination focused on a goal. He was not open to Jekkah’sfeelings at all having had experience with the act of Engaging. However Jekkahalso felt another presence, one that he hadn’t felt before, he could feel theemotions emanating strongly off of the dark haired girl. Unlike that ofordinary feelings, he could feel her connection with Orric. She was using himto steady herself, and she was untrained. Jekkah smiled, this may be easierthan I thought. Jekkah grasped hold of the pain in his left wing amplifyingit. When he had gathered as much strength as he could into the feeling hetouched Reniko’s mind.

Renikolet out a terrifying scream. Dropping her bow she clutched at her head and fellbackward onto Orric’s body. She sat precariously on the edge for a few secondsbefore she slid off the edge and plummeted toward the earth, her safety ropepulling taught and yanking Orric off balance. Rimca who had been standingstaring at Jekkah above was thrown from her feet as Orric lost his balance andwas sent dangling from her safety line as well. Malik was the only one whoremained aloft having been sitting at the time of the attack.

“Reniko!”Orric shouted, he being the only one aware of the attack on her psyche. “Closeyour mind.”

“Shecan’t hear you Orric,” Rimca said as she dangled uncomfortably from her ropenext to Reniko, “she's unconscious.”

“Orriclook out,” Malik shouted which caused Orric to instinctively veer to one side.Jekkah passed close by having descended on the group in the ensuing chaos thathis attack had caused.

“Everyonealright?” Orric asked as he steadied his flight once again.

“No!”Rimca screamed. Malik looked over the edge down at the dangling form of Rimcawho was holding the end of a frayed rope in her hand, a frayed rope that hadbeen holding the still frame of Reniko.

“Reniko,no!” Malik said scrambling closer to the edge grasping at the air wishing thatReniko’s hands were close enough to grab. Instead he saw her body fallingsteadily down toward the unyielding earth below.