A World Apart (18 page)

"See, I told you."  Cherise said, smiling widely, sitting down next to Jake, petting Maxis.

"Hello, Jake.  Hello, Cherise."  A female voice came from the gate.  Jake looked over and saw Hailyn coming into the yard.  Maxis heard the voice as well and charged over to Hailyn.  Jake was sure that she was going to get flattened, Maxis being twice her weight, but the dog stopped in front of her and she wrapped her arms around him, cooing at him.

Cherise also got up and ran over to Hailyn, wrapping her in a hug when she released Maxis.  They smiled and talked softly as they walked, arm-in-arm, back over to Jake, Maxis right behind them, tail wagging happily.

C
HAPTER
T
WELVE

"How are you doing today, Jake?"  Hailyn asked, a smile on her face as she got close, her white robes rustling softly as she moved.  Her eyes, those unusual brown eyes with golden flakes, studied his face.  "You look rested."

"I'm fine, thanks to you."  Jake said, giving Hailyn a smile and nod.  With the sun kissing her tanned face, her hair shining in the light, he found her to be more attractive than he had last night.  Surprised by that thought, he changed his focus and pointed at the two girls.  "You know each other, I take it?"

"Yes.  Cherise was in my class last year."  Hailyn replied, patting Cherise's hand.  "She is a very talented painter."  Cherise blushed at the compliment, smiling with joy at the praise.

Hailyn disentangled her arm from Cherise and came over to Jake.  Her form began shining with a golden glow as she embraced her power.  "If you don't mind, I would like to examine you again."  She asked.  After Jake nodded, she reached out and took his face into her hands, her eyes closing.

Jake sat patiently, enjoying Hailyn's warm hands gently touching him, the hint of her perfume filling his nostrils as she leaned closer towards him.  He was staring at her face, thinking about her full lips, when he felt the warmth of her power radiate from her hands down into his body.  The warmth spread until he could feel it throughout his body.  It lasted for only a moment, disappearing as the glow faded from Hailyn, her eyes opening.

She smiled shyly as Jake, returning her smile, stared into her eyes.  Looking back at him, she thought that he had pretty eyes.  Flushing slightly, uncomfortably aware of Cherise's presence next to her, she realized that she was still touching his face.  She hurriedly brought her hands down and stepped back.

"You appear to be in perfect health, Jake."  She said, straightening and regaining her composure.  She went over to the other bench and sat down, Cherise coming to sit next to her.  Maxis walked over and lay down at their feet.  "Master Jonas sent me to see how you are doing and if you need anything.  What are your plans for the day?"

Cherise piped up.  "I was going to show Jake the neighborhood while Mother is at the market."

Hailyn gave her a smile.  "That is very nice of you, Cherise.  Do you mind if I join you?"

"No.  That would be great!"  Cherise exclaimed, excited by the prospect.

Hailyn looked back over at Jake, taking in his clothing and sandals.  "Master Jonas wanted me to take Jake to the cobbler to see if we can find him some boots.  It may get a little cold at night for sandals."

"Umm…I don't have any money for shoes."  Jake said, a little embarrassed that he had not thought about how he was going to pay for things here.

Hailyn patted a small pouch on her belt.  "Don't worry, Jake.  Master Jonas gave me some gold to make sure you have what you need."

"I appreciate that, but I don't know how I will be able to pay it back."  Jake replied.

"There is no need to pay it back.  It is a gift, not a loan."  Hailyn said reassuringly.  She gave Maxis a quick pat on the head and stood up, Cherise joining her.  "Shall we go?"

"Let me get Maxis' leash."  Cherise said, as the dog rose with them.  She looked over at Jake, seeing his surprise about the dog coming with them, and explained.  "He usually goes with me on walks and is well behaved.  Most people around here know that he is just a big baby, but his size scares some, so Father said he has to be on a leash if he leaves the yard."

Cherise led Maxis over to the side yard to get his leash as Jake stood and gave a little stretch.  Hailyn stepped closer and said quietly.  "Maxis has been Cherise's closest companion since her best friend, Else, left last year to work on her family's farm in the north.  Those two were as close as sisters, always running about.  I think Cherise was heartbroken by that and has been hesitant to get close to anyone else her age.  Hopefully, when she gets her apprenticeship, she will make some new friends."

Cherise rejoined them, Maxis next to her on a leash, tail wagging happily.  They left through the front gate onto the main road.  Following Cherise, the little group turned right on the street and made their way down the tree-lined pavement towards a cluster of tall wooden buildings built on both sides of the road.  They passed by the neighboring homes, some of the people in the yards calling out to Cherise, who gave them a wave in return.  They made their way along with other pedestrians, walking in both directions on the street, many of them respectfully greeting Hailyn with small bows and some eyeing the dog nervously.  As they got closer to the buildings, Jake could see that there were a few shops, buzzing with activity, as well as what looked like taverns and restaurants.

Cherise led them over to the closest building, where Jake saw shoes and boots displayed in the front window of the first shop.  She stopped next to the building and said to Hailyn.  "I will wait out here with Maxis if you want to take Jake in to see Cobbler Jendering, Hailyn."

"Thank you, Cherise.  We shouldn't be long."  Hailyn replied.  She motioned to Jake to follow her as she headed into the store.

As Jake entered the store, he immediately noticed the strong odor of leather.  The store had an open showroom near the door, with a long desk, several chairs next to it, which stretched across the room near the back.  There was an opening in the middle of the desk that had a flip top across the top of the counter.  Behind the desk were a series of shelves, with a door near the right corner to go into the back of the shop.  As with the short wooden tables spread out in the showroom, the shelves were stacked with various styles of boots and shoes, in different colors, much like a shoe store back home.

Behind the desk was a younger man, maybe in his early thirties, rail-thin with a shock of dusty blond hair and blue eyes, a short blond beard, wearing a brown leather apron over his tan cotton clothing.  He saw Hailyn and Jake come in and came out from behind the counter to greet them, a welcoming smile on his face.

"Good morning, Hailyn."  He said with a slight bow.  He gave Jake a nod.  "Welcome, stranger.  What brings you into my store today?"

"Good morning, Master Jendering."  Hailyn said in greeting, nodding her head.  "My friend here, Jake, is new to our city and is in need of some footwear.  I know that you are one of the best cobblers in the city, so we hope you can assist us."

"I am sure I can.  Which do you want – boots or shoes?"

"I don't know…"  Jake started, looking around the room, when Hailyn cut him off.

"Master Jonas told me that he believes that Jake should have some boots, preferably ones that resist water."  She said, giving a Jake a quick smile for interrupting.  "He may need to travel in the future and such boots are better for rough journeys."

Jendering looked at Jake, one eyebrow raised in curiosity, waiting.  Jake shrugged and said.  "That sounds fine to me."

He motioned Jake towards the chairs.  "Please, come and sit, so I can measure your size."

Jake sat down in one of the wooden chairs and unlaced his sandals as Jendering went behind the counter to get a pad of paper and a small knotted rope.  He came back over to Jake, kneeling, handing Jake's sandals to Hailyn and using the rope to measure his feet.  He took several measurements, scribbling down his numbers, then stood.

"You are in luck today.  You may not have to wear those sandals while I make your boots, as I believe that I have a pair of boots that will fit you, Jake."  Jendering said, wandering over to his shelf.  He grabbed a pair of tall black leather boots with laces up the side and turn down flaps at the top.  He stopped and reached into a drawer and pulled out a pair of light-weight cotton socks.  He brought them back over to Jake, handing him the socks.

"Here, Jake.  Put on the socks and we will see how the boots fit."

Jake pulled on the socks as Jendering knelt and unlaced the boots, setting them next to Jake's feet.  Jake grabbed the left boot and slipped it on.  It was a just a bit tight in the foot and he told Jendering that.

"A little tightness is expected; the leather is soft enough that it will stretch a bit after it is worn."  Jendering replied.  "Put the other one on and lace them up.  We'll see how they feel as you walk around."

Jake laced up the boots and walked around the store a bit.  The boots felt pretty good actually, so he decided that he would take them.

"How much for the boots, Master Jendering?"  Hailyn asked, pulling out her pouch.  "Master Jonas would like Jake to have two pairs of boots, so I will double the price, if you can make another pair in his size."

Jendering stroked his short beard.  "I can easily make another pair; I have a couple of apprentices who need the work.  I will make those brown, if you like, Jake."  Jake nodded his assent.

Jendering held up a hand.  "I will not accept any payment for these boots.  I give them as a gift to the Temple."

"That is not necessary, Master Jendering."  Hailyn protested.  "You have mouths to feed and apprentices to support."

"I will not take any payment, I said."  Jendering said, face taking on a stubborn look.

He walked over to the counter, reached over and came back with a small vial which he handed to Jake.  "Jake, when you take off the boots tonight, rub some of this oil on them.  It will help soften the leather and repel water."

He looked back at Hailyn.  "Do you want me to bring the other pair of boots to the Temple?"

"Thank you for your generosity, Master Jendering."  Hailyn said, bowing her head while Jendering waved away the compliment.  "Jake is staying at Master Norlan's home.  Please have the boots taken there."

"I will see them delivered in a few days."  The door opened and another customer came in.  "If you will excuse me?  It was a pleasure meeting you, Jake."  Jendering stuck out his hand.

"My pleasure, as well."  Jake replied, shaking his hand.  "Thank you for the boots."  Master Jendering gave him a smile, a nod to Hailyn and went over to the other customer.  Hailyn and Jake left the store, walking over towards Cherise, who was playing with Maxis in an empty area across the street.

"What was that about?"  Jake asked, looking over at Hailyn.  "Why wouldn't he take any money?"

"He has a young son, eight years old."  Hailyn replied quietly.  "About a month ago, he and his friends were playing on a very tall ladder that is built into the side of a building.  His son was near the top when he lost his grip and fell.  He was badly injured and barely alive when he was brought to the Temple.  If not for Master Jonas, I'm not sure he would be alive today."

"I don't understand.  You and other clerics can also heal."  Jake asked.  "Any of you could have done it, right?"

"Jake, our ability to heal is not just the amount of power we can wield."  Hailyn said.  "While strength in the clerics' power can do many things, there is a skill in healing that is learned over time.  The body is a complex thing; many things have to work together for it to function properly." 

She gave a shake of her head.  "I don't think I could have healed the boy, at least not completely.  Your injuries, for example, were minor and any healing cleric could deal with those.  Even most battlefield injuries are straightforward.  With the types of injuries the boy sustained and his lack of strength, my attempt to heal him may just have easily killed him.  He had multiple broken bones, internal injuries and swelling in his brain.  Only Master Jonas, who was strong in his power and the most skilled at healing even before he received his staff, was able to save him."

"I didn't realize that."  Jake said, mulling that over.  "Jonas had told me that not all clerics could heal, but I just assumed that was whether they could access your power.  I thought the power was like a cure-all; you simply apply it and it works."

"In many cases, the answer would be yes, but sometimes there are complexities that resist healing."  Hailyn replied.  Realizing the somber nature of the conversation, she changed direction and gave Jake a quick grin.  "So it is better to stay healthy than hope that a cleric will be around to heal you."

"I'll keep that in mind."  Jake said with a laugh.

They reached Cherise, who made gushing comments about Jake's new boots.  As she was looking at his boots, she suddenly asked, pointing at his leg.  "What's that, Jake?"

Jake looked down and saw an earbud hanging out of his pants pocket.  It must have slipped out when he was trying on his boots.  He reached in and pulled out his phone.  "Those are speakers for my phone."  Jake replied without thinking.  "I put them in my ears so I can hear it."

"What is a 'phone'?"  Cherise asked as she leaned in for a closer look.  Hailyn, curious, also stepped closer to study Jake's phone.

Jake gave it some thought, turning the phone over in his hand.  "In my world, phones allow people to talk with each other over long distances; both people have to have phones for it to work.  Besides allowing people to communicate, a phone can take pictures and hold music, surf the Net…"  Jake caught himself.  By their faces, he could see that they did not understand what he was saying.

"Here, let me show you."  Jake said, powering on the phone, conscious of its limited battery life.  The girls watched as it powered up and Jake's background picture of him, Sean and Matt, at the beach appeared.  The girls were clearly delighted to see this.  Jake pulled up his music app and selected some slow songs, not wanting to freak them out with some of his more rocking selections.