A World Apart (The Jake Thomas Trilogy - Book 1)

by Tolle, Steven A.

  Dominic turned to Jake, leaning in close, face serious. "Be careful, boy." He said softly. "Remember what Jonas told you; there may be other agendas here. Don't commit to anything. If you are directly asked to do something, simply tell that person that you need to discuss it with Jonas or myself first. Understood?" Jake nodded his assent. "After your visit, go back to the house and change into suitable clothes for our training session this afternoon. Just keep your eyes open and wits about you when you are alone."

  Dominic stepped back and said in a normal voice, for Wendel's benefit, Jake was sure. "Be respectful to the princess; never forget that how you conduct yourself reflects on me. Am I clear?"

  "Yes, Dominic." Jake said, trying to sound chastised.

  "He is all yours, Wendel." Dominic said as he turned and left the palace.

  "Come, young Jake." Wendel said kindly. "We should not keep the princess waiting."

  His cane tapping on the floor, Wendel led Jake down several marble-floor hallways, then up a flight of wide stone stairs with polished wooden rails. The stairs ended at a large landing with several corridors leading off from it, with Royal Guards stationed at each entrance. Wendel led Jake down the center corridor, nodding to the guards as they passed. They came to open hall, with paintings and wall hangings lining the walls, sofas and chairs providing seating and windows at the ends that let in the outside light. In the wall across from the corridor, a set of large wooden double-doors were closed. Wendel went across to the doors and rapped on them with his cane.

  "Who is it?" A female voice asked from the other side.

  "Lord Wendel, with the guest of the princess, a young man named Jake." Wendel replied.

  One of the doors opened to reveal a young woman, dark haired and pretty, dressed in the livery of the palace. She smiled and gave a quick curtsy to Wendel. "Thank you for bringing him, Lord Wendel. I will escort him to the princess from here."

  "It was a pleasure to meet you, Jake." Lord Wendel said, patting Jake on the shoulder. "I hope you enjoy your visit." He gave the young woman a wink and headed back down the corridor.

  "Hello, Jake." The young woman said with a nod of her head. "I am Nataly, personal assistant to the princess. Please follow me." She gestured through the doors.

  Jake entered into a brightly painted room, with high ceilings and paintings and flowers decorating the room. There were several other doorways along the walls, leading to other rooms, no doubt. Across the room, opposite the doors Jake entered, was another set of ornately carved double-doors. Nataly went over to those doors, lighting knocking on them.

  "Yes?" Jake could hear Keria's muffled voice come through the doors.

  "Jake is here, Your Highness." Nataly replied.

  The doors opened and Keria strode in from the other room. Jake caught a glimpse of a large bed before Nataly closed the doors, flushing a bit when he realized that was Keria's bedroom. That was quickly forgotten as Keria approached with a smile on her face. She was dressed in a green silk dress that highlighted her beautiful eyes. The dress was somewhat low-cut and it clung to her figure, emphasizing her body. Jake was mesmerized and could not take his eyes off her. He realized that he was staring at her bosom, tried to look away quickly, then flushed again when he saw that Keria noticed. However, she did not look upset; her smile deepened.

  "Hello, Jake." Keria said, stepping close and taking Jake's hand, her perfume filling his nose. "I'm pleased that you were finally able to make it."

  "I'm glad as well, Keria." Jake said, giving her a slight bow and trying to keep his eyes on her face.

  "Let's go out on the patio to talk." Keria said, holding his hand and leading him towards one of the doors. "The weather is nice today. Nataly, please bring some punch." Nataly nodded and hurried out one of the other doors.

  Keria led Jake out to a covered patio that looked out over the city. There were several stone benches clustered together near the outer wall, allowing the occupants to talk while enjoying the view. Keria chose one of the benches to sit on and pulled Jake down next to her.

  "Isn't this pleasant, Jake?" She said with a smile, green eyes sparkling.

  "It is very nice, Keria." Jake replied, losing himself in those eyes. Her closeness made him a bit nervous, though.

  "Now that we have some time, why don't you tell me about yourself." Keria said, as Nataly appeared with a silver tray with a large pitcher and two silver cups. Nataly poured punch into the two cups, set them next to Keria and Jake, then departed at a little gesture from Keria.

  Taking a sip of the punch, Jake told Keria about how he came to this world and his journey from the Forest to Sanduas. She patted his hand as he recalled his flight from the half-men.

  "You were very brave, Jake." She said, giving his hand a squeeze. "Not many have escaped from the half-men."

  He told of his rescue by Dominic and his trip here. He stopped when he got to the palace. "You know what happened then." He said. A thought came to him. "Keria, why is it that your father and Dominic don't get along?"

  "Do you know about Dominic's past?" Keria asked.

  "Some." Jake replied. "I know about his commands and that he had a wife and child."

  Keria nodded sadly. "That is why there is tension between them. I was very young when it happened, but my mother told me about it. Dominic was Commander of the Army at the time and had led some forces out against a large group of half-men and demons in the hills south of the city. During the fighting, word came that a small band had slipped past the army and was headed towards Dominic's home, where his wife and child were. Fearing for their lives, he abandoned his command and rode to try to save them. He got there too late; they had been killed. When he returned to the city, he was wounded with that terrible scar."

  "Due to the nature of the incident and his long faithful service, my father would have forgiven him for that reckless act, but Dominic blamed my father for taking him away from his family. They exchanged heated words in public, words that are not normally said to kings. Only the intervention of my mother and Brother Jonas kept it from becoming worse. Since then, there is no love lost between them."

  "That explains some things." He said quietly.

  Keria suddenly giggled naughtily. "My mother was always supportive of Dominic. I think it was because she had chased after him when they were young, before she married my father."

  Glad that the conversation was moving to a happier subject, Jake asked. "Is your mother away? I have not seen the queen around."

  Keria's smile faded. "No, Jake. My mother died several years ago." Keria replied sadly.

  "I'm so sorry, Keria." Jake said quickly, aghast at his bringing up a painful subject. "I didn't know."

  "That's ok, Jake. I know." Keria said, her smile returning and taking his hand. "I think my mother would have liked you." She paused, then asked. "What about your parents, Jake? Do you have any brothers and sisters?"

  He told her about his family and tried to explain aspects of his home, but decided it was easier to show her instead. He pulled out his phone and powered it up. He saw that the battery was getting really low; he would soon have no power left, but wanted to impress Keria. He had her listen to some music, then went to his photos. She scooted closer as he showed her pictures of his family and friends, her head almost touching his, distracting him with her closeness.

  "May I take your picture, Keria?" He asked impulsively. She nodded and he stood up and stepped back, getting her whole body into the frame, with the city as the background. After he took it, he sat back down next to her and showed her. She made a comment that it was not the most flattering image, but Jake assured her that she was beautiful.

  "That is very kind, Jake." She said, affecting a demure look. "You look very handsome today. I like the way that the color of your doublet brings out the blue in your eyes."

  Jake blushed at the compliment, which brought a giggle from Keria. She took his hand into hers again, looking into his eyes, waiting for him to say or do something. When he did not
move, she leaned in, mouth slightly parted. Jake was sure she wanted him to kiss her.

  Suddenly sweating from nervousness, he hesitated. When he finally started to move in to kiss her, the door suddenly opened and Nataly came running over. "Princess, the King is coming!" She panted, undoubtedly from running here. Muttering a curse, Keria leapt up and hurried over to the bench facing Jake's, quickly smoothing her dress. She gave Jake a look that said to go along.

  No more than a few seconds later, the king walked out onto the patio. He came over to where they were sitting. Jake followed Keria's example and rose, bowing to the king when he stopped.

  "Hello, Father." Keria said, coming over and kissing him on the cheek. "I was just having a most wonderful discussion with Jake."

  "I am glad to hear it, Keria." The king replied with a slight smile for his daughter. "I hate to shorten your fun, but I would like to talk with the young man myself."

  "Of course, Father." Keria said. She held out her hand towards Jake. "We will have to do this again, Jake."

  Jake took her hand and bowed, lightly kissing the back of it. "It was my pleasure, Princess. I am always at your service." He said, trying to sound formal for the king.

  "Come along, Jake." The king said, heading back towards the door. Jake traded a quick glance with Keria, who gave him a frustrated little smile and gestured for him to follow her father. Jake settled in beside the king, keeping a half step back.

  "As a father, I am always glad to see my daughter happy, Jake." The king said as they headed down the corridor to the stairs. "As king, however, I have to think of more practical things. Do you understand?"

  "I think so, Your Majesty." Jake lied, confused.

  "Keria is the princess of the realm, Jake." The king continued as he looked over at Jake, clearly indicating that he did not believe Jake understood. "She will be queen someday and has obligations to the realm. You may not know this, but her husband will be chosen for her, a husband in the best interests of the realm." Jake did not know what to say, so they walked in silence until they reached the bottom of the stairs.

  The king sighed, then spoke. "While I would like her to love that person, she will have to do what is required of her. I cannot have her believing it will be any other way." He stopped near a doorway in the hall and motioned for a guard to come over.

  "Everything I have heard about you indicates that you are a good and fine young man, Jake." The king said. "This is not a reflection on you. However, I must ask you to stay away from my daughter. I know her and I want to avoid either of you getting hurt."

  He turned to the guard. "Please escort my daughter's guest to the courtyards." He said as he kindly patted Jake on the shoulder and went through the door.

  Jake followed the guard in stunned silence. He had never been told to stay away from anyone; it was most definitely an odd feeling.

  As he was crossing the palace grounds to the gates, he saw Marcus standing with a group of other young nobles. When Marcus noticed Jake, he gave him a self-satisfied smile and a mocking wave. Jake gritted his teeth in frustration, but did not say anything as the guard led him to the gates.

  He crossed the courtyard in a huff, thinking dark thoughts about Marcus, wishing he had a way to wipe the smirk off that asshole's face. He moved fast, not paying attention to his surroundings, wrestling with his emotions. As he walked off some of his tension, he could feel his anger level come down. As he calmed down, his thoughts returned to Keria, especially remembering that dress.

  As he turned down an alley that he used as a shortcut, Jake was lost in his thoughts of what had happened at the palace. He wished he had leaned in to kiss Keria, especially since the king was clear that he would never have the opportunity again. He gave a huge sigh, regretting the missed chance.

  He had just a moment's warning, a sense that something was not right, when he heard the footsteps of someone rapidly approaching him from behind. He turned just in time to see a masked man closing with him, a metal capped club in his hand, raised to strike.

  Jake dove, throwing himself to the side as the club whistled past. Tucking his shoulder, he rolled over and came back to his feet, drawing his sword as he did. His attacker was quick, already adjusting to Jake's position, club swinging again. Jake was forced to leap away, ducking to avoid the club again, trying to keep his swordpoint towards the attacker as Dominic taught him.

  As his attacker came at him again, Jake stepped to the side, ducking as he swung his sword. He felt a sudden tug as the blade made contact, hearing the man gasp. This time, however, he was not fast enough to avoid the club as he felt sudden pain blossom as it clipped him on the side of his head.

  Jake's knees suddenly felt wobbly as he spun to face his opponent. He was lightheaded and could feel warm blood flowing down his head, past his ear and onto his neck. He forced himself to focus, trying to will steadiness back into his body.

  His attacker was a few feet away, clutching his side with his free hand, blood staining his hand and clothes. He was more cautious now, watching Jake's sword as Jake struggled to keep it on him. Jake drew in some deep breaths to settle his legs, as he tried to anticipate the next move.

  His attacker started to move to his side, club weaving, trying to get past Jake's sword, when sudden shouts came from the end of the alleyway. His attacker looked past Jake, spat out a curse, and turned and ran, still clutching his side. He made it to the main street, turning and disappearing from sight.

  Relieved, his body suddenly shaking from what just happened, Jake fell to his knees, bracing himself on his sword, the point pressing against the road. He turned his head to see two soldiers running up to him, swords drawn. They came up to him, asking what had happened, eyes roaming up and down the alley for any threats.

  Reassured by their presence, he told them that he was Dominic's apprentice and had been attacked. Hearing Dominic's name, the soldiers quickly offered assistance. They agreed that one would take him to the Temple while the other would find the area's watch captain to inform him about the attack. They helped Jake back to his feet, allowing him to sheath his sword while the one taking him to the Temple threw Jake's arm over his shoulder to support him.

  Shortly, Jake found himself in the healing clinic at the Temple. A middle-aged female cleric, who had a kind demeanor, smiling and reassuring Jake, attended to his wound. After the healing, Jake was sitting on the bench, allowing an apprentice cleric to wipe away the blood, when Dominic came in, face stony, followed closely by Hailyn.

  "What happened, boy?" Dominic demanded, grasping Jake's chin, looking closely at Jake's face. Hailyn told the other apprentice to leave, pulled Dominic's hand from Jake and, sitting close, took over cleaning him up.

  Jake told him about the attack, having to repeat the events over and over again as Dominic asked questions, tried to get every little detail. Despite his dispassionate questioning, Jake did see something like approval in Dominic's eyes when he mentioned wounding his attacker.

  "You survived; that is what is important." Dominic said, after he finished his questions. He stood there for a moment, hand gripping his sword. "We need to work on your aggression, though. You missed a couple opportunities to take the advantage."

  "That can wait, Dominic." Hailyn said tartly, looking at him disapprovingly. She continued to gently wipe away the remaining blood. "Jake needs to get out of these soiled clothes and rest."

  Dominic looked down at her, an amused look in his eyes. "Whatever you say, Sister." He said mockingly, giving her a little bow. Hailyn flushed at the remark, but did not answer.

  "I'm going to find Jonas." Dominic stated, heading towards the door. He called another apprentice over and sent her to get Norlan. He turned back to Jake. "We need to discuss this. Wait here until I return."

  ...

  Captain Stradford stopped his horse near the edge of the woods, looking down at the meadow, a light green oasis in the wooded hills, the grass rich and thick as the sunlight danced across it, dappled in the shadows of the clou
ds passing above. It was just as Martis had described it.

  Stradford had grown close to the man over the last several weeks, meeting him before and after duty. He did not have many close friends, so it was nice to have a male confidant. After Stradford had mentioned the tensions with his wife, Martis had suggested that a picnic away from the city may be what they needed. He said he had passed through this meadow when he got turned around in the woods and it was a very peaceful place.

  He glanced over at his shoulder to watch his wife and young daughter ride up on their other horse. His wife, a slender and pretty woman with long brown hair, seemed pleased by the choice, a happy smile on her face, her brown eyes sparkling. His eight-year-old daughter, whom he felt took after his wife, was restless and fidgeting, clearly ready to get off the horse.

  Hopeful that the rest of the day would continue his wife's good mood, Stradford climbed off his horse, tying the reins to a nearby tree and went to help his daughter and wife down. After securing their horse, he helped his wife set up the picnic blanket and lay out the meal while their daughter played nearby, laughing and running about. Stradford ran out after her, playing and chasing her around until his wife called out that the food was ready.

  They slowly ate their meal, enjoying the beautiful day. After finishing the meal, Stradford sat listening to his daughter tell a story about her day in school while his wife smiled happily as she put the plates and utensils into a bag to take back to wash. After their daughter said something that caused Stradford to laugh loudly, his wife glanced over at him, clearly glad that he was spending time with their daughter. Stradford was watching her face, appreciating her beauty, feeling the tension fading between them, when he saw her look past him, eyes going wide with horror, a scream bursting from her throat.

  Stradford started to leap up when rough hands grabbed him, wrestling with him to pin his arms behind his back, tie them with a rope and pull him to his feet. He saw several rough-looking men in dark leather pants and shirts, with rings of metal sewn in, armed with swords and daggers. They all had that slightly crazed look in the eyes that he had always been told about: half-men! They had him secured; his only weapon was his sword that was hanging uselessly from the saddle on his horse.