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

by Tolle, Steven A.

  "I'm sorry, but my orders..." The officer began, suddenly sweating.

  "I don't care about sorry, soldier." Dominic interrupted, anger now clear in his voice. "I thought that they still taught officers how to exercise judgment." His eyes seemed to shine. "You don't want me to have to get off my horse to teach you a lesson in judgment." Dominic finished ominously.

  The young officer swallowed nervously, his men exchanging worried looks, but no one moved. Just as Dominic placed his hand on his pommel, preparing to dismount, Armartas came riding out of the gate. "Open a space!" He called out. "Let them through or I will have someone's ass!"

  Jake saw relief on the faces of the officer and the men as they hurriedly opened a space in their ranks. Dominic continued to stare at the officer for a moment, then headed into the gate after Armartas, shaking his head. Hailyn went next and as Jake entered the tunnel, he turned to see the soldiers close ranks again.

  Once inside the city, amid the hustle of soldiers moving around the gate area, Jake saw Dominic talking quietly with Armartas. Armartas looked over and saw Jake holding Cherise. He straightened in his saddle and gave Jake a salute. Jake saluted back, touched by the gesture, and Armartas returned to his conversation with Dominic.

  As Jake got closer, he heard Armartas explaining to Dominic that he had the engineers working on the gates, trying to rig at least a temporary fix to allow them to close the gates. Apparently, there was damage to the West Gate as well, so the engineers were spread thin.

  "We'll not keep you then, Armartas. You have a busy night." Dominic said, motioning for Hailyn and Jake to follow him.

  They were quiet as they moved deeper into the city, watching as more groups of soldiers deployed to the streets, many with at least one cleric, searching for any half-men or demons that still may be in the city.

  ...

  Jonas was sitting wearily on the steps of the Temple, his staff next to him as he sipped some hot tea an apprentice brought him. In the distance, he could see the torches of the soldiers, as well as the shining forms of clerics, moving about the courtyards, making sure the areas were clear. He felt bone-tired, worn out by the nearly continuous use of his power. He had never used so much at one time for so long, first to fight off the demons, then to perform healings.

  He was sitting there trying to recover his strength, his thoughts on Dominic and Jake, as well as Hailyn and poor Cherise. A rider had come to him earlier, sent by Armartas, letting him know what had happened at the gate. Saying a prayer for their safety, he closed his eyes and soon drifted into a light sleep.

  He started awake when he heard the sound of horses coming closer, a trickle of fear passing through him. Leaning on his staff, he pushed himself up, prepared to meet whatever came on his feet.

  As he watched, relief and joy took over as Dominic appeared out of the night on Shadow's back, followed closely by Hailyn riding another horse. Behind her, he saw Jake riding Dontas, with Cherise held in his arms.

  "Praise to the One!" Jonas exclaimed, moving forward to meet them. "I'm glad to see you safe and sound."

  "You should be in bed." Dominic said as he halted Shadow, looking closely at Jonas. "You look like warmed-over death."

  "I will sleep soon enough." Jonas replied, reaching up to grasp Dominic's hand. "More soundly now that I know you are safe."

  Hailyn slid off her horse and handed the reins to Dominic. He shook his head and instead untied his horse and handed the reins to Jonas. "The Temple should keep the horses until the former owner's family is found, if possible. If not, then I guess the One has other plans for them." He motioned to Jake to untie the other horse as well.

  Hailyn hurried over to the Temple doors and found a couple of apprentices to take the horses, then returned. After the apprentices moved off with the horses, Jonas said. "Do I need to see to any of you?" He reached for his power, feeling it flow into him again.

  "Don't tax yourself. The girl did a fine job healing." Dominic said, waving Jonas off. He gestured towards Hailyn. "She was very brave tonight and acquitted herself well in the battle." His face took on an irritated look. "Even though she apparently missed your lesson that clerics should never heal those who don't want it." Hailyn flushed and looked at the ground.

  "I will make sure she gets that lesson, Dom." Jonas replied, forcing himself to keep a straight face.

  "We should get Cherise home." Dominic said, motioning for Jake to follow. "I'm sure that Norlan and Madalin are consumed with worry."

  "Master." Hailyn said, looking up at Jonas. "Perhaps you should see to Jake. I think..."

  "It can wait until tomorrow." Dominic interrupted, sharing a look with Jonas that asked for his trust.

  "Until tomorrow, then." Jonas said, giving Dominic a slight nod. Dominic nodded back, then led Jake and Cherise away.

  Jonas went over to Hailyn, affectionately putting an arm across her shoulders as they walked back to the Temple. "How did you manage to heal Dom?" He asked, a broad smile on his face. "I have not been able to do that for more years that I care to remember."

  "I'm sorry to say that it took guile and deceit, Master." Hailyn replied, sharing a brief smile with Jonas. Her smile faded. "Master, I need to tell you about what happen to Jake tonight."

  As she began to tell him, Jonas' smile faded as well.

  ...

  When they finally arrived home, the neighborhood had quieted down, though there was still a small crowd at the house. Jake saw that several of the neighbors were holding clubs or other weapons, standing guard at the gate. He also noticed that the bodies of the half-men had been removed from the yard. A murmur spread when they saw Dominic ride up, as well as Jake and Cherise. One person ran into the house as they halted the horses.

  Dominic got off of Shadow, tying the reins on the fence, then took Jake's and tied off Dontas as well. Jake slid out of the saddle, then helped Cherise down. She clung to his arm as they headed to the gate.

  The front door opened and Madalin came running out, Norlan right behind her. Cherise saw her mother, released Jake's arm and ran towards her, crying again. Madalin wrapped her into her arms, holding her tight, as tears flowed from her eyes as well. Norlan came up and wrapped them both in an embrace.

  Jake had stopped when Cherise ran, his throat tight. He was overjoyed that they were reunited, but also felt guilty as he looked at them. This all happened because of him. He did not know what to do or say.

  As he wrestled with his emotions, watching the reunion, he felt Dominic's hand on his shoulder. "You did a good and brave thing tonight, boy." Dominic said softly. "Learn to enjoy your victories, because you never know which will be your last."

  Dominic's praise took him by surprise, cutting through his emotions. Before he could react, however, Madalin slipped out of the family embrace and ran over to him. She reached up and took his face into her hands, looking at him for a moment, concern on her face.

  "Are you ok?" She asked. When he nodded, she pulled him into a tight hug. She kissed him on the cheek and said softly. "Thank you, Jake. Thank you." She kept repeating it as she held him.

  After a while, she released him, stepping back, her hands on his face. She looked over his shoulder and went over and embraced Dominic, holding him tight and thanking him as well. Jake watched as Dominic, looking slightly uncomfortable, let her hug him for moment, then gently pushed her back. "There is nothing to thank me for, Madalin. The boy rescued Cherise."

  "I'm thanking you for protecting Jake, you big idiot." Madalin said fondly, tears in her eyes. She turned and walked back to her family. Norlan had her take Cherise into the house, then came over to Jake and Dominic.

  Before Jake could say anything, Norlan reached out and pulled him into a hug. Jake could feel Norlan strength as he wrapped his arms around him, holding tight. After a few seconds, Norlan broke the hug and stepped back, hands on Jake's shoulders.

  "I cannot begin to repay you for rescuing Cherise, Jake." Norlan said, voice thick with emotion. "I'm so proud of you."

/>   "Thank you, Norlan, but none of this would have happened if you hadn't taken me in." Jake said, looking at the ground. "Maybe I should have Dominic find a place for me to stay near the training area, so you and the family will be safe."

  "Look at me, Jake." Norlan said, voice now angry, hands gripping Jake's shoulders tightly. Jake looked up and met his eyes. "I never want to hear that from you again. Never! You are like a son to me. This is your home now!"

  Norlan was almost shaking with anger. "Never blame yourself for this. If there is any blame, it is mine. I am the one who is supposed to protect my family." He sighed bitterly, his hands dropping. "I could not even do that."

  "Boy, go get cleaned up and get some rest." Dominic said, his eyes on Norlan. Jake nodded and headed towards his room. When he got near the room, he stopped and looked back.

  Dominic had taken Norlan to the far corner of the yard, away from everyone, and was quietly talking with him. Norlan's head dropped, looking at the ground. Jake saw Dominic reach out and tap Norlan under the chin, forcing his head up and emphasize a point with a finger in Norlan's chest. Even though he could not hear what was being said, Jake saw that the conversation turned heated. Suddenly, Norlan shoved Dominic back. Dominic recovered and came right back up to Norlan. There was a lot of pointing and gesturing at first, then that gradually faded. Jake stood and watched until he saw Dominic put an arm around Norlan's shoulders and they started walking around the yard, still talking.

  Jake went to his room, stripped off his clothes, put on his robe and went to take a shower. After he was clean, he returned, blew out the candles and slid under the covers of his bed. He was shifting back and forth, unable to get comfortable when he heard the curtain in the doorway move.

  He looked to the doorway, only to see Maxis come in. Maxis came up to his bed and laid his head on Jake. Jake reached out and rubbed Maxis' head for a bit. When he stopped, Maxis simply curled up on the floor next to Jake's bed. Comforted by the dog's presence, Jake was soon asleep.

  He tossed and turned in his sleep, having reoccurring dreams about his fight with the half-men. Even though the dreams were disturbing, he did not wake up. He stayed asleep when Dominic and Norlan came by and looked in on him, Norlan taking Maxis into the house. He did not wake up when Dominic came in and sat on the floor at the foot of his bed, his sword on his knees, guarding the doorway. He dreamed his troubled dreams, unaware of the brief flashes of blue light that would occasionally pulse from his body, the light reflecting off of Dominic's eyes as he watched over him.

  ...

  In the woods southwest of the city, the demon Rigil and his brother gathered their remaining followers close. He could not believe that they had been defeated, failing to secure the boy, and driven out of the city. He had been surprised by the power these clerics wielded, especially the one with the staff. That one's power rivaled that of some of the strongest of his brothers. That he had lost brothers to the mortals angered him. He held onto his damaged arm, the skin blistered and swollen from the clerics' fire. The damage and the pain were a reminder of what he hated about his physical form.

  He had been one of the first to cross over when the way to come to this world opened. He remembered when he first became flesh, the joys of being free from his prison, the sensations from a physical body and the opportunities to rule over these glorified monkeys. It was only later when, despite his power, he realized that there were limitations to what he could do. Besides the joys of the flesh, he also had the weaknesses that came along with it. His was an immortal soul, trapped in a mortal shell.

  "I will stay and track the boy." Rigil told his brother. "Take the information we have learned back to our lord. He will want to know." His brother nodded.

  They shared a look, then reached out and began to absorb the corrupted life-force of their followers. These fools did not realize that was the purpose behind the power that went into them when they committed themselves to the demons. They were changed so that their life force could be used when needed. The half-men cried out in agony as the demons absorbed their essence. Rigil could feel the energy flow into him, shaping and directing it to heal his body. The pain and damage faded as he fed on that energy.

  After the followers collapsed, drained of life, his brother headed out while Rigil turned backed towards the wagon and its occupants. They had tried to flee before the battle, but were found by the followers outside of the city two days ago. He made his way over to them, ignoring the reaction from the horses, which shied away and whinnied in fear. He looked at the occupants, seeing the terror in their eyes.

  "You will help me track the boy and find a way to capture him. I will not tolerate another failure." He said in a tone that brooked no arguments.

  Martis and his men bowed in acknowledgment.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When Jake woke, sunlight was streaming through the window and outlining the doorway. He stretched and slowly got to his feet, feeling groggy. He had dreamed over and over again of charging down at the half-men, feeling his sword impact and the men fall as he fought his way to Cherise, his desperate fight with the last half-man, ending each time with that blinding flash of light.

  Last night, he had only felt relief that Cherise was free. Now, he was unsure on how he truly felt about what happened. He had never killed anything before. He would do it over again to save Cherise, he told himself, but wrestled with the fact that he killed those men. They were evil, Jake knew, but still men. He was most troubled by that fact, given what they had done, the deaths and injuries they caused, he was not even sure if he was that upset about it.

  Shaking his head, trying to clear out those thoughts, he decided to get dressed. Looking around, he saw that his armor and sword were stacked neatly next to the fireplace, the metal spotless. Obviously, someone had cleaned his equipment for him. He finished dressing, put on his armor and sword and went outside.

  As he pulled the curtain back, he was struck by a strong floral scent. Around his room on the patio, he saw dozens of potted flowers. "What the hell?" He thought to himself, as he looked around. These were not here last night.

  He decided to take a walk to clear his head before he went inside, so he made his way to the side yard. On the steps to the house, he saw Jonas and Norlan sitting and talking quietly. Jonas saw Jake first and waved him over. As Jake approached, he noticed that Shadow and Dontas were gone. The men stood as Jake came over to them.

  "How are you feeling today, Jake?" Jonas asked with a warm smile, staff cradled in the crook of his arm. Norlan reached over and laid a hand on Jake's shoulder.

  "I feel fine, Jonas, but am still a little tired." Jake replied, then added. "I'm trying to sort out what happened last night." He gestured back towards his room. "What is with the flowers?"

  "Gifts from the neighborhood to honor your heroic deed, Jake." Norlan replied, pride shining in his eyes. He seemed more his old self this morning. "Word has spread of your brave pursuit and rescue of Cherise."

  Jake blushed slightly at the praise. He was not used to being called brave or heroic. "I don't know about heroic. I just did what needed to be done." He said quietly.

  Jonas laughed softly. "That is usually what most heroes say, Jake." He looked at Jake, face turning serious. "Don't discount your bravery. Not many would have done what you did, pursuing a group of half-men, alone and at night." Norlan nodded at that comment, giving Jake's shoulder a squeeze.

  "Where are the horses?" Jake asked, feeling better with the praise, but wanting to change the subject.

  "Dominic took them back to the stables early this morning." Jonas replied. "He will make sure they are fed and cared for. He also needs his rest, so the remainder of the day is yours."

  "How is Cherise doing, Norlan?" Jake asked quietly.

  Norlan frowned and shook his head slightly. "Brother Jonas looked at her this morning. Physically, she is fine, but, emotionally, she is still fragile. She is frightened to leave her room."

  "That should past with time,
love and support." Jonas said sympathetically. "She is a young girl after all and went through a traumatic event."

  "I should go look in on her." Norlan said, turning around and heading into the house.

  Jake moved to follow, but Jonas raised a hand. "Wait a moment, Jake. I would like to speak to you. Why don't we take a walk?" He said, moving to the yard. Jake fell in beside Jonas as they slowly walked across the yard.

  "I wanted to talk with you about what happened last night." Jonas began, voice quiet. "Hailyn spoke with me about it when you returned, as well as Dominic this morning, but why don't you tell me what you remember."

  Jake recounted everything that happened after he and Hailyn left the singer. He ended at the flash of light. "I still don't know what that was. One second, I was fighting the half-man; the next, I was looking up at Hailyn."

  They had reached a bench and Jonas had Jake sit down. "Before I say more, let me examine you." Jonas said. He laid a hand on Jake's forehead, closed his eyes and his power flared to life. Jake felt the familiar warmth spread as Jonas worked his might. Jake saw a slight contraction of Jonas' eyebrows, a subtle scrunching, but that was all. For nearly a minute, Jonas stood there like that, power pulsing. His power suddenly winked out and he opened his eyes and spoke.

  "You are as I expected; healthy, but with a slight change." Jonas said, then sat next to Jake. "Jake, this may be hard for you to believe, but that flash of light was generated by you."

  "Me?!" Jake exclaimed.

  "Dominic and Hailyn saw a blue nimbus of power suddenly surround you, then explode out and destroy the half-men." Jonas said gently. "This power sounded similar to what you had described in the dream that troubled you so."

  "When you tested me before, you said I didn't have the ability to wield the cleric's power." Jake said, disbelieving. "So, how could I do that?"

  "The power described is not the power used by clerics, Jake." Jonas replied. He shook his head. "There is something there now, similar to the cleric's spark, but different. I thought I had detected something when I previously tested you, but it was so faint that I could not be sure I had actually felt it."