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

by Tolle, Steven A.

  Jake nodded, hammering the demon with his power, driving it back. He attacked again while the demon, form smoking, desperately tried to block Jake's magic. Suddenly, Hailyn sent a bolt of clerics' fire into it, overwhelming its defenses and reducing it to ash. Motioning Marcus, Jake swept the half-men with his magic, forcing a gap to develop between them. With the half-men stopped for a moment, they turned and ran.

  They made their way into the woods, Marcus leading and Jake bringing up the rear. The light from Jake and Hailyn's powers blended, giving everything a greenish glow. They ran up a hill, hearing the pursuing half-men coming behind. On the other side, there was a bowl-like clearing. They charged down the hill and started up the other side. They were halfway up when more half-men appeared along the edge of the bowl. They stopped and fell back to the center, looking all around. The pursuing half-men appeared behind them, cutting off their retreat. They were surrounded on all sides.

  Along the rim, two Imps appeared. One shouted down at them. "Surrender yourself, boy, and we will let these two live. Don't let your companions die for you."

  Jake was racking his brain to figure out how to get out of this. "Any suggestions?" He whispered to Marcus.

  "I don't believe that the demons would let us live, even if you surrendered, so we can only fight to the end." Marcus replied grimly, gripping his sword tighter.

  "That is what I thought you would say." Jake said, then turned to Hailyn. "What do you think?"

  "You cannot give yourself up to them, Jake." Hailyn said fiercely, grabbing his hand. "We will stay and fight with you."

  "Look, they want me alive." Jake said, a plan coming into his head, trying to ignore the surrounding enemies. "I agree that they will probably kill you if I surrendered, so what we need to do is clear a path for you two to escape."

  Hailyn shook her head no, but Jake spoke over her. "Listen to me, we can't win. We're too outnumbered. I'll stay and hold them off as long as I can. If you two get away, you can find Jonas and Dominic and come back. With Jonas' power, we have a much better chance."

  "I won't go." Hailyn declared, face set. "I will stay and fight with you. Marcus can escape and bring Master Jonas to our aid."

  Jake looked over at Marcus, a plea in his eyes, hoping he understood what the look meant. Marcus stared back, then nodded. With that, Jake spun and launched his magic into the demons, twin bolts of dazzling blue racing across the distance. The demons were struck and staggered back, unprepared for the assault. With a cry, the half-men started forward, streaming down the hill. Jake then spun back and struck out at the weakest point of the surrounding half-men. He blasted away, striking the half-men, reducing them to ash. For several moments, he continued to sweep the area, clearing an opening. Hailyn, startled at first by Jake's attack, joined him. Between them, they made a large gap in the half-man line.

  "Now!" Jake shouted.

  Before she could react, Marcus grabbed Hailyn, lifting her off the ground and ran towards the opening. She cried out, punching and kicking him, trying to get him to release her. She sent her magic into the half-men closing on Jake, knocking some away, watching as his shining form disappeared behind a wall of half-men.

  …

  "Let them go!" Jake heard one of the demons shout. "Get the boy."

  Jake was glad that part worked out, but now he was faced with an impossible task. He knew that he could not hold off this many enemies for long. He focused on strengthening his defenses, his aura growing brighter. He sent pulses of magic into the surrounding half-men, driving them back. But since he could not focus his power effectively, he was only hurting them, not destroying them.

  The demons then joined in, attacking Jake with their power. He was staggered as he struggled to defend against them while keeping the half-men back. They pressed him, forcing him to continue to draw more and more power. So focused was he on defending, he had nothing left to launch an attack.

  He could see that the half-men and demons were getting closer, his magic causing them pain, but not enough to keep them from him. As he looked into the eyes of the demons, he began to panic. He knew they wanted him alive, but the reality of falling into their hands was something he realized he could not bear. As they closed the distance, fear began to overwhelm him. He desperately lashed out with his magic, trying to gain more space, open a way out, but it did not work.

  He could feel his body begin to tire slightly, as Tomaris said he would. He knew he only had minutes left before he would be taken.

  That only added to his panic. The demons got closer, the half-men pressing in. Despite his best effort to keep his magic flowing, he watched with horrified eyes as one of the Imps, its arm sheathed in its dark power, reached towards him.

  It was hurt by his magic when it touched his aura, the powers sizzling and snapping as they collided, but continued to reach for him. When its claw touched his arm, its fire burning him, his panic peaked and, screaming, everything went white.

  …

  Marcus slipped as he reached the top of the rise, falling and losing his grip on Hailyn. She rolled away and started back towards Jake, sending her magic into the press of half-men. Marcus ran after her and grabbed her again, pulling her up to the rim of the depression.

  Hailyn fought against him, desperate to help Jake. She could see flashes of his magic flaring into the sky. He was still fighting, she knew. As she twisted her body and broke free again of Marcus' grip, she turned back towards Jake, her power shining. As she felt Marcus reach for her again, Jake's scream sounded and a rolling ring of white fire exploded out of the mass of half-men, consuming them or flinging them away.

  The force of the explosion drove her back, causing Marcus to lose his footing. They tumbled backwards, down the hillside. Hailyn was desperately trying to stop her momentum when she hit her head on something hard, driving away consciousness.

  She was drifting in darkness when a golden light flared, warming her. She came awake, feeling the healing power of the clerics coursing through her. She opened her eyes to see Jonas kneeling down next to her, glowing brightly as he worked his magic. Once he was satisfied, he helped her to her feet.

  She immediately saw Marcus standing guard, near Shadow and Dontas, watching the woods. The horses were sweating, clearly ridden hard. She glanced around, then cried out. "Jake!" She began to head back when Jonas caught her arm.

  "Dominic went to find him." Jonas said gently, eyes sympathetic and knowing. "Wait with patience. Tell me what you remember."

  She was telling Jonas about Jake's battle in the depression when Dominic appeared over the top of the rim, striding quickly, carrying Jake in his arms. Hailyn, a low cry in her throat, started forward at the sight of Jake. He was limp in Dominic's arms, head rolling from side to side as Dominic moved. His skin was pale, chalk-like. When Dominic placed him gently on the ground at Jonas' feet, she could see some faint streaks of white in Jake's hair, his face hollow-looking.

  "Is he dead?" She asked softly, voice cracking, her heart breaking at the sight.

  "No, girl." Dominic said, looking down at Jake. "He is still with us."

  Jonas quickly knelt next to Jake, examining him. With a slight frown, he placed his hand on Jake's forehead, closing his eyes. His power flared as he began to heal Jake. Suddenly, Jonas' eyes flew open, wide and in shock. There was a radiant burst of white light between Jake and Jonas, flash-blinding Hailyn. When her eyes cleared, she saw Jonas, power gone, laying on his side next to Jake, twitching and eyes fluttering.

  She knelt next to him, probing him with her power. There was nothing physically wrong that she could find, but she was able to sooth his body and he relaxed. After a few moments, he began to slowly move his head.

  "Can you hear me, Master?" Hailyn asked gently.

  Jonas nodded slowly, looking up towards the sky. He tried to press himself up onto an elbow, but fell back.

  "Just lie still." Hailyn told him, gently patting him on the chest.

  She glanced over at Jake, Dominic squatting n
ext to him. His color had returned and the white streaks in his hair were no longer there. He began to move about as well, his eyes opening and looking about. "What happened?" He asked, voice soft. Hailyn almost cried for joy when she heard him speak.

  "We don't know yet, boy." Dominic answered him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Just relax for now."

  Dominic reached over and grabbed Jonas' staff, shoving it into Hailyn's hands. "You have to protect us until Jonas recovers." He said, standing and calling Marcus over.

  She had never held the staff before. Curious, Hailyn drew in her power. She could feel it flood into her, amounts that she had never held before, her aura shining brightly. Dominic looked at her, eyes appraising, then nodded.

  "We need to get them back to the wagon." He told them. "Marcus, you and girl will need to carry the boy. I will carry Jonas." With that, he went to the horses and tied Dontas' reins to Shadow's pommel. He reached down and wrapped his arms around Jonas, getting him to his feet. Jonas was weak and unsteady, but Dominic kept one arm wrapped tightly around him as he took Shadows' reins, slowing walking back towards the camp. Marcus and Hailyn maneuvered Jake between them and followed.

  It was slow going; both Jonas and Jake were weak and could only go so far before stumbling. They finally reached the campsite, the dead soldiers and half-men Marcus had finished lying where they fell, the small fire now glowing embers. Hailyn was glad to see that, in the rush of the battle, the horses and wagon had been left untouched.

  Setting the staff aside, Hailyn quickly laid out some blankets in the wagon bed, pushing the supplies to the side and making room for Jake and Jonas. Dominic and Marcus got them into the bed, then covered them with blankets. They both quickly fell asleep.

  "Come along, lordling." Dominic said to Marcus as he grabbed a small shovel from the supplies. Dominic walked into the clearing and began to dig shallow graves for the fallen soldiers while he had Marcus strip them of their armor and weapons. Hailyn sent clerics' fire into the remains of the half-men, turning them to ash. She sat on the bench of the wagon, watching over Jake and Jonas as they slept.

  Once the soldiers were buried, Dominic tied off Shadow and Dontas to the back of the wagon, as well as the soldiers' mounts. He climbed onto the wagon bench while Marcus swung into the saddle of his horse.

  "We need to find shelter tonight." Dominic said as he started the wagon in motion. "The horses need rest and we cannot defend ourselves with Jonas and the boy out of the fight. We will head to the miners' camp. They owe us for Jonas' healing."

  Marcus nodded, taking the lead, watching the surrounding woods. Dominic leaned over to Hailyn as they reached the road and turned towards the camp. "You may need to prove you are a cleric when we reach there. Be ready." He said.

  He paused, weighing his words, then continued. "Also, while we are there, you are not to leave my or Marcus' sight. While most will respect that you are a cleric, these men are rough and have not seen a woman in many days. We don't want anyone to make a mistake." Hailyn nodded, understanding.

  "So, what happened to him?" He asked, nodding back towards Jake. She told Dominic what had happened after he and Jonas had left, the battle and Jake's attempt to save them. She tried to describe the explosion of white fire, but told Dominic that she had no idea what it was. She asked how he and Jonas found them.

  Dominic explained that he and Jonas had ridden the horses hard, racing back to the camp. When they arrived, they found the dead soldiers and had ridden after the obvious trail the half-men had left. They were almost to them when they saw the bright flash ahead. When they arrived, she was laying next to a tree, unconscious, with Marcus standing over her. Dominic had left them to Jonas and went into the depression and found Jake as he was when he carried him up.

  "There was no trace of the demons or half-men." Dominic said, glancing back at Jake. "I only found clothes and weapons."

  They came up to the miners' camp, the watch fires still burning. They were stopped as they approached the gates, but Petrous recognized Dominic and let them through. After Dominic explained what they wanted, Petrous agreed and sent them over to the main building.

  Hailyn, as she stepped off the wagon to check on Jake and Jonas, could feel eyes on her. She turned to see a couple of the men leering at her, their eyes predatory. She held their gaze, trying to show she was not intimidated, when Dominic stepped up behind her. She saw the lust replaced with fear as Dominic stared coldly at the men, hand on his sword. They quickly went over to the palisade.

  After they moved Jake and Jonas into the building and fed the horses, Dominic went over to Petrous to let him know that, until they left, the wagon and building were off-limits to his men. If he caught any trying to enter, he would not be gentle and would hold Petrous responsible. Looking into his eyes and seeing the promise of pain, Petrous gathered his men and relayed that order. Nonetheless, Dominic and Marcus each took a turn standing watch while the others slept, though the night passed without incident.

  As the sun rose over the forest, they reloaded the wagon to leave. Jake and Jonas, though both looked better, were still feeling weak and needed to ride in the wagon. Marcus tied off Dontas to the back of the wagon, then mounted his horse. Hailyn took the reins of the wagon, waiting for Dominic.

  He was making a last-minute check of their supplies, sorting through the material surrounding Jake and Jonas. After some thought, he called Petrous over. He thanked him for allowing them to stay and gave him the extra horses, weapons and armor. "May you have better luck with them." He said as he climbed onto Shadow.

  They left the camp behind, backtracking to the easterly road. When they reached it, Dominic had Marcus join them at the wagon.

  "We have to make a decision." Dominic said. "One of the miners says he saw a young woman with a group of half-men heading east along this road. He could not describe her as she passed quickly and he was soon being pursued by half-men, but it is possible that it was the princess. We have to decide whether to continue on or turn back to gather more forces from Alleon."

  "If there is a chance it was the princess, we have to follow." Marcus declared. "We cannot leave her in their hands a moment longer than necessary." He spat, hands curling into fists, then continued. "Also, if any survivors of the fight last night make it back, they would be warned of our approach. They could move her or fortify their positions by the time we returned. I say we go on."

  Jonas sat up in the wagon, holding on to the side panel. "I would suggest we continue on at least until we have definitive proof the princess went this way." He said, voice weak. "Once we have that, we can explore our options then."

  Dominic looked at Jake and Hailyn, who both nodded. "It looks like we continue on." He spurred Shadow, turning east along the road.

  They pressed on for most of the day, the forest rolling by, Dominic out front and Marcus covering the rear. The terrain gradually transitioned into rolling hills, with the trees spreading out and more rocks protruding from the soil. Jake and Jonas slowly recovered, feeling better by the afternoon, though neither had the strength to call up their power.

  In the late afternoon, they came across another fork in the road. While the others stayed with the wagon, Dominic and Marcus each rode their horse to scout ahead. Marcus went up the easterly road while Dominic headed south.

  Marcus returned first, an excited look on his face. He rode up to the wagon and showed them a small pearl bead that he had spotted in the dirt. "Clearly, Keria went east. Once Dominic returns, we should continue on."

  They quietly discussed their options, with Marcus and Jake wanting to press on, while Jonas and Hailyn were not so sure. They were in the middle of their conversation when they heard a horse approaching at high speed along the southern road. Dominic pulled up, reining in Shadow at the last minute.

  "Can either of you raise your power?" He quickly asked Jake and Jonas. When both shook their heads, he cursed under his breath. He sat on Shadow, silent for a moment, then spoke again.

  "There
is a large party of half-men and several Imps coming this way." He said, face hard. "We will not be able to mask our trail and we cannot outrun them. If you can't help, then standing and fighting is out of the question." He drew his sword, blade gleaming. "I will have to lead them away to give you time to escape."

  "You can't do that, Dominic!" Jake protested, struggling to rise. "It's suicide!"

  "Boy, I've done this..." Dominic began, but Jake cut him off.

  "Tell him, Jonas!" Jake said, voice thick with emotion, appealing to Dominic's oldest friend. "We'll find another way."

  "Boy..." Dominic started.

  "No! I will not listen!" Jake cried. "You can't do this!"

  "Boy!" Dominic tried again.

  Jake ignored him, pleading with Hailyn to help him convince Dominic. She listened, her eyes sad, but did not get a chance to speak.

  "Jake!" Dominic said sharply.

  Jake, shocked to hear his name, cut off in mid-sentence. It was the first time that Dominic had ever addressed him by his name. He was so stunned that he sat back down.

  "I have dealt with the half-men and demons since before you were born." Dominic said directly, then continued more gently. "When they see me, they will follow; trust me. That will buy the time you need."

  He reached over and laid a hand on Jake's shoulder. "You risked all to save Hailyn and Marcus last night. I must now do the same. Remember all of my lessons, be brave and you should do well. I'm proud of the man you are becoming." Jake nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, tears suddenly streaming down his face.

  Dominic turned to Jonas. "I will draw them off to the west and south, then circle back. I will catch up or not." He stated bluntly. He grasped Jonas' hand and gave him a roguish smile. "If this is goodbye, old friend, I guess I will see first if you have been right this whole time."

  Jonas nodded grimly and squeezed his hand. "You are my oldest and closest friend, so I would prefer you stay alive. Don't take any more risks than you need to." He released Dominic's hand, raising his own. "Go with the blessings of the One, Dom. May He shelter and protect you in His hand." Dominic gave him a slight bow.