Tales of Xyanthia: Part Eight

This is a dual collaberation story with DarkRen and myself, Part Seven is HERE, if you haven’t read it yet. His sections will be in Violet and mine will be in Blue. And, a shameless plug, just in case you haven’t started reading this at all and want to start at the beginning, the first part is HERE

There seemed little to do but that. Carefully Renyck let himself slide from the back of his companion, approaching the gate without a thought as to binding the dark stallion. Past the little gate he walked a path of fine gravel, though a well-manicured garden of small herbs and flowers. As he was half way through the door to the small cottage opened, revealing a slight, elderly man clad in clean gray robes. His wizened features were firmly set, there a huffy air about him as he spoke in surprisingly firm tone. “Come now, hurry up, boy. I haven’t got all night. You’re late.” With that he disappeared back into the small home, leaving Renyck to stare momentarily at the open doorway.

The doorway approached afterward, Renyck could see the inside was cozy. A single room abode, this with handmade furniture, warmed by a small cast iron stove set to one corner. “Do you need a second invitation? Come in!” spoke the man again, having settled into one of two chairs set near the stove. Renyck complied, forward thinking enough now to walk across the room and take the seat opposite the old man.”

“You know why I’m here.” More a statement than a question from Renyck who sat forward some on his chair. “Of course I do! Do you think its everyday that a young pup draped in ensorcelled items comes calling?” There the old man paused, looking toward the door for a moment, closed by Renyck after entering. He leaned forward after this check and spoke in softer, serious tones. “You seek the jewel of this realm, boy. She who has been taken and placed in bondage. But there is more at stake than her life, I’ll have you know. Listen closely now, there is much I have to tell you that may save your life and others.”

To say that Renyck was startled that this diminutive elder knew of him would be an understatement; nevertheless, he regarded him with a curious gaze, leaning forward as he listened. He does not interrupt, the seriousness with which the unknown wise man speaks to him, telling him that he will speak of what he will in his own manner, no questions at this point to help in that regard to cull more information. He merely nods once, not taking his eyes away, though there is much to distract in this homey dwelling.

At the nod, the older mans’ eyes twinkle for but a moment, “Good, you know how to keep your own counsel boy. That’s a plus, you’ll need that.” he murmurs. “Now, as to the gist of what you need to know, I assume you’ve seen her?” he asks without needing the reply, for he could see the recognition in Renyck’s eyes as he mentioned the jewel. “She’s a beauty, she is. As good inside as she is outside.” Again the glance at the door, before he continues, “He knows, he knows she is important, he knows she is the key. And he is the one you need to be cautious of, for he knows of your existence; he knows you search for her. He will stop at nothing to keep her for his own purposes, and they are, shall we say, a type of evil that will turn anything that tries to stand in his way as stone that has no soul. As you’ve no doubt seen, her soul is intact, her soul still breathes, her soul still lives.”

Renyck is still silent during this, letting the man speak of Xyanthia, for he cannot hear enough of the woman that touched his mind and heart, brought him, him of all people, to come to save her, he who is just a simple man, or so he believes himself to be. His musings are interrupted as the older man laughs, “Ha! I see.. she has your heart already, she has brought you. Has she not?” A rhetorical question, for he launches then into another, “Are you strong enough in mind that he will not take it over? Are you strong enough in purpose to withstand the fire that burns the flesh? Are you strong enough to watch while she is tortured if it comes to it, for he will seek to find your weakness for her and use it against you. Even if it is not her that you truly see.”

“I.. don’t know..” Renyck responded, stricken at the thought of harm coming to her. The thought of any slight taint or spoiling of her perfection alien to his thoughts. He speaks the truth of his mind to this serious question. “Good!” the elder returns. “You’re good boy, but untested. That’s why you’re here. A test waits for you. Do you have the mettle to answer the challenge?”

Again, there is no pause in Renyck’s response. “Yes. I will meet it. Anything to prepare myself.” Renyck states. This revealed goal a unifying force for his worried thoughts, lending his words a purposeful firmness. A resolve to meet the wizened man’s stare, braving the appraising attention.

“This is the place.” the old man says after some long moments. He slips one thin-fingered hand into his sleeve to draw out a rolled parchment. “Take this and go, your challenge will be shown to you when you arrive. You will be shown the way if you pass the test. If you don’t..” Ambiguity is left ominously as the slight man trails off. He sits up as straight as his back will allow and snaps. “Go now. You’ve not much time!”

Having taken this parchment, Renyck rises. “Thank you..” he starts, though a firm look from the elder stills any further words. Wasting time. Renyck dips his head respectfully before he turns to stride across the small cottage and out the opened door. Nightsteed lifts his head as Renyck comes, watching the young man keenly for a moment before he turns slightly to present his side. The parchment still unopened, Renyck vaults himself into the saddle and sits firm as the powerful black stallion rears and wheels to face a direction. Renyck still hasn’t gathered his bearings on north in this land yet.

DarkRen has posted part Nine, the link for that one is HERE.