A World Apart (37 page)

"You are not intruding, Jake."  Madalin said warmly.  "Come over."

Jake sat with the family, gently drawing Cherise into conversation.  She was hesitant at first; she kept looking at Jake with a combination of reverence and fear.  Jake was slightly disturbed by that, but tried to ignore it.  As time went by, she seemed to grow more comfortable, even sharing a smile with Jake at times.

Jake left after a while, stopping to pet Maxis on the way out.  He went outside, drawing in the fresh air.  He stood in the yard for a bit, then went back to his room, sitting down on his bed and thinking over all that had happened to him.  He did know how long he had been there when Norlan popped his head into the room.

"I'm going to the smithy to check on things, Jake."  Norlan said.  "Why don't you come with me?  A little walk will be good for both of us."

Jake agreed and shortly they were standing in the yard at the smithy.  While Norlan called Helman over to his office to discuss some things, Almos and Dern pulled Jake away, a torrent of questions bursting forth.  Jake spent the next half-hour trying to get them caught up on all that happened.  They continued to talk until Norlan and Helman came out of the office, Helman calling the other two back to work.

"Let's head back, Jake."  Norlan said, motioning towards the gate.  "I don't want to be gone too long."

As Jake and Norlan neared home, Jake was startled to see around twenty Royal Guards standing out in the street, keeping watch.  He and Norlan came up to the side gate, the Guards making a space for them to pass, and saw Keria standing there with Madalin and a couple of the neighborhood women, quietly talking.

As they entered the yard, Jake spotted Marcus standing a few feet away from the women, armored and his shield on his arm, trying to watch the street and Keria at the same time.  Marcus saw Jake as well, the usual unfriendly look tempered with what Jake could only think was a grudging respect.  After a moment where they just looked at each other, Marcus gave him a curt nod, which startled Jake enough that he stopped in his tracks.  "He must be sick."  Jake thought to himself.

"Jake!"  Keria's voice called to him, pulling his attention away.  She was standing there, beautiful as always, a warm smile on her face, green eyes sparkling.  Jake made his way over to her, everything else forgotten, captivated by her beauty.

"Princess."  Jake replied with a smile of his own, giving her a small bow.  "It is nice to see you again."

"I'm pleased to see you whole and hale."  Keria said.  "I heard of your heroic rescue of Master Norlan and Madam Madalin's daughter and wanted to add my own appreciation for that act."  She stepped forward and kissed him on both cheeks, catching Jake off guard.  "You have brought great honor to yourself and your guardians.  The Kingdom of Sanduas thanks you."

Jake was blushing slightly as she stepped back, conscious of all of the people watching.  "Thank you, Princess."  He said, giving her another bow and trying to sound formal.  "You honor me."

"We will talk more, Jake, but I would like to look in on Cherise first."  Keria replied.  She looked at Madalin.  "With your permission, Madam Madalin?"

"Of course, Your Highness.  She would appreciate that greatly."  Madalin said with a little curtsy.  "Please follow me."  She led the princess into her home.

Jake stood there for moment, watching them go into the house, enjoying the way Keria moved.  When the door closed behind them, he turned back towards Norlan and found Marcus coming over to him, his face disapproving, hand resting on his dagger.  Norlan stepped back slightly, crossing his arms, watching.  Marcus nodded to Norlan, then stopped in front of Jake, looking him in the eyes.

"You know how I feel about the princess."  Marcus stated quietly.  "That has not changed."  He paused and frowned, thinking.  "However, I wanted to say that you have proven your courage and I respect that.  I honor any enemy of the demons and their followers."  With that, he turned and headed over to the gate to wait for the princess.

Jake stood there in stunned silence for a moment.  He never expected to hear anything like that from Marcus, ever.  He looked over at Norlan, who chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.  Clapping him on the shoulder, Norlan led him back over to the stairs to wait.

After about fifteen minutes, the door opened and Keria came back out, followed by Madalin, holding Cherise's hand.  Jake and Norlan stood as Keria came down, Madalin and Cherise standing on the top step.  Keria came up to Jake as Norlan went to stand with his family.

"Please show me your room, Jake.  I would like to see where you live."  She said, a smile playing on her lips, staring into his eyes.  "We can talk after that."

Jake, a foolish smile on his face, led her over to his room, making his way through the flowers.  He held the curtain back as Keria went inside, then followed her in.

As soon as he entered, Keria came up to him.  "I think you owe me something from your last visit, Jake."  She purred, her perfume enticing, those beautiful eyes gleaming.  She reached up and pulled Jake's head down and kissed him on the lips.  Jake was lost in that kiss, the king's admonishment forgotten.  When he slipped his arms around her back and pulled her close, she broke the kiss and pushed him gently back, giggling.

"I don't think we want to go any further with twenty of my father's Guards just outside.  They may become suspicious if I come out rumpled."  She said lightly, taking his hand.  She looked at him, eyes bright.  "I know what my father told you, Jake.  He can be unreasonable, but with your tale on the people's lips, he may reconsider.  Clearly, a hero should make a suitable suitor."

"That would be nice, Keria."  Jake said, unable to stop grinning.  He leaned in to kiss her again when a knock came at the door.

"We need to go, Your Highness."  A man's voice said.

Keria motioned for Jake to pull the curtain back.  As Jake complied and Keria stepped out, she said.  "Of course, Costuas.  Thank you for the tour, Jake, and again, you have the thanks of Sanduas for your bravery."

"It was my pleasure, Princess."  Jake said, bowing and taking her hand and kissing it.  She gave him a wink that only Jake could see, then turned around and went out the gate, Marcus following and looking decidedly unhappy.

Jake was in a cloud for the rest of the day, reliving that kiss and the feel of her next to him.  He came in for dinner when called, not even tasting his food as Madalin looked over at him, a knowing smile on her face.

As the sun was setting, Jake was lying on his bed, letting his dinner settle, his thoughts on Keria, when the door curtain whipped back and Dominic strode into his room.  Dominic arched an eyebrow at seeing Jake lying about, then tossed him a set of saddlebags and an empty waterskin.  Jake struggled to catch the bags as he sat up.

"Make some space."  Dominic said, as he came over and sat on the bed.  He looked at Jake, those blue eyes bright.  "How are you feeling?"  He asked.

"Fine, Dominic."  Jake replied.  He looked closely at Dominic.  "How are you?"

"Don't worry about me."  Dominic said, waving off the concern.  His voice lowered.  "We are leaving at first light."

"Leaving?!"  Jake exclaimed, the news shattering his thoughts of the princess.

"Keep your voice low, boy."  Dominic growled.  "Do you hear me shouting?"  Without waiting for Jake to respond, he continued.  "Jonas and I have talked.  He does not think that he can help you with this power you demonstrated.  He is sending us to Tomaris' Keep.  He believes that if anyone can help you, it is Tomaris.  We will be leaving out the North Gate as soon as it opens."

"Why so soon?"  Jake asked quietly, thinking on how he could see Keria again.

"The truth is that while many see you as the hero who rescued a young girl from the half-men, others, including some at the palace, are grumbling that you are the reason that the demons attacked in the first place."  Dominic replied.  "To head off any difficulties, Jonas and I believe that it will be best if you leave the city for a while.  We will leave quickly and quietly to allow the situation to settle down."

He paused, then continued.  "Also, some of the attackers were able to escape.  We want to have you gone before they can regroup."  He shook his head, face grim.  "Obviously, they infiltrated the city.  We don't know how many spies are still here, so by departing quickly, we can get ahead of them.  With you gone, it is unlikely that they will attempt another attack on the city."

"What about Norlan, Madalin and Cherise?"  Jake asked unhappily.  "Do they know?"

"I just spoke with Norlan."  Dominic replied.  "He agrees, though he is not happy about you leaving.  He will tell Madalin and the girl."

Dominic stood up.  "Make sure the waterskin is full and pack only what you need.  We will be traveling light.  It is only about a four-day ride to the Keep.  We can get additional supplies on the road."  He said as he headed back outside.  "I will bring Dontas from the stable.  Remember, be ready by first light."

…

Jake awoke early, reluctance and excitement warring within him.  He hated that he was leaving behind his chance at Keria, as well saying goodbye to his friends, but at the same time, was eager to see more of the world and meet this Tomaris, whom Jonas held in such high regard.  Perhaps, since his letter, he had found a way to send Jake home, or at least explain why he was here.

He got dressed and packed his other boots and some extra clothes in his saddlebags.  He shoved his phone in as well.  There was a possibility that he may not return, so he would not leave it behind.  Once he was packed, he straightened the room up, then put on his armor and sword.  Slinging the saddle bags over his shoulder, he went outside, the floral smell of the flowers filling his nostrils as he took a deep breath in the cool early morning air.

He went over to the water pump and filled his waterskin, then headed over to the front yard to wait for Dominic.  He sat down on a bench, looking up at the stars shining overhead, as the night sky lightened in the east.  He was sitting there, lost in thought, when the front door opened and Norlan stepped out.

"Good morning."  Norlan greeted Jake.  He came over and sat down next to him.  "Do you have everything you need?"

"I believe so, Norlan."  Jake replied.

"Good."  Norlan said, his voice sad.

As they sat there in silence, Jake watching the street, Jonas and Hailyn came walking up and entered the yard.  They came over to Jake and Norlan.

"Good morning."  Jonas said, nodding to Jake and Norlan.  "Are you ready to go, Jake?"

"I am, Jonas."  Jake replied.

"If I thought that I could help you, I would not send you away."  Jonas said.  "I truly believe that Tomaris is your best option to learn about this power."

"I know that, Jonas."  Jake said.  "You have been great to me."  He impulsively gave Jonas a hug.  Jonas, surprised, returned the embrace for a moment.  Jake stepped away, a little embarrassed by the display.  With a kindly pat on Jake's shoulder, Jonas sat down next to Norlan and started speaking to him quietly.

Hailyn came over to Jake, motioning him to follow.  She took him into the yard, giving them a little space.  She reached over and took his hand.

"I will miss you, Jake."  She said softly.  "You must write when you can to let me know how you are doing."

"I'll miss you too, Hailyn."  Jake said, taken aback by the tears in her eyes.  "You have been a great friend.  I will write, if I can."

The sound of approaching horses caused Jake to look towards the front gate.  He saw Dominic riding out of the night, Dontas behind him, saddled and ready.  Dominic stopped and waited, staying on his horse as Jonas and Norlan walked over to him.

With a low cry, Hailyn threw her arms around Jake's neck and hugged him tight, taking him by surprise.  She whispered in his ear "Come back to me when you can." and kissed him on the cheek.  She broke the embrace and wiped her tears away, moving back towards the front gate.

Jake stood there of a moment, unsure of what to say or do, when Dominic called over.  "Let's go, boy."  Jake headed back over to the bench to grab his bags and water.  As he reached the porch, the front door opened as Madalin came out, followed by Cherise.  Madalin hugged Jake tightly, followed by Cherise, both with tears in their eyes.  Jake felt himself getting a bit choked up, so he went over to Dontas and slung his bags and waterskin.  Norlan gave him a quick hug, then went over to his family while Jake pulled himself into the saddle.

Madalin and Cherise were holding each other, gently crying, with Norlan standing behind them, a hand on their shoulders.  Hailyn was standing next to Jonas, wiping tears as well.

Madalin looked over to Dominic.  "Keep him safe, Dominic.  Bring him back to us."  She said, voice cracking slightly.

"I will do everything in my power to make that happen, Madalin."  Dominic replied, his voice strangely gentle.

"I don't know why we are getting so emotional about this."  Jonas said, voice kind.  "This is simply a good-bye, not farewell."  He lifted his staff, his form suddenly glowing with power and said.  "Go with the blessings of the One.  May He protect and shelter you on your journey."

Dominic nodded and started Shadow moving.  With a final wave to everyone, Jake turned Dontas and followed him.

Dominic and Jake rode slowly toward the North Gate, passing groups of soldiers and clerics deployed throughout the city.  The shops and other businesses were beginning to stir, the people on the streets still wary.  Jake could not blame them after what happened.  The sun was still not quite up when they reached the Gate, the courtyard half-filled with merchants and others waiting to leave the city.

As the sun rose above the horizon, the Gate opened and the mass of people made their way through.  Dominic and Jake passed slowly through the Gate and over the North Bridge that spanned the Blue River.  Once across, Dominic led Jake off the road into the open grassland and then galloped past the main body of people clogging the road.  When they had left the mass of people behind, they came back onto the road and slowed their pace.