Sword of Light
Authors: Steven Tolle
SWORD OF LIGHT
(Book 2 of the Jake Thomas Trilogy)
S
TEVEN
A
.
T
OLLE
Copyright ©2013 Steven A. Tolle
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, physical or digital, without the express written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
SageVest Books
2215-B Renaissance Drive, PMB 2233
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Cover by Roy Migabon
Maps by Cleta Gidcumb
(
www.cletagidcumb.blogspot.com
)
T
ABLE OF
C
ONTENTS
A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Tim Leffingwell, Rich Cole, Shelly Kidwell and Lisa Kowalski for reviewing and proofing the draft of the book and offering suggestions to make it better. I doubly appreciate them since they freely offered their time and set aside that time in their busy lives to help me.
I must acknowledge Roy Migabon, the creative talent behind the covers of my books, for his grasp of my vision. He is a joy to work with.
Finally, my deep gratitude to my friend, Cleta Gidcumb, for working outside of her comfort zone to create the maps that I use in these books.
I
N
M
EMORIAM
While working on this book, I was shocked by the sudden and tragic passing of Sharon Howze, the beloved wife of my friend of decades, Ted Howze, and loving mother of their three sons. She was a kind and caring soul, taken unexpectedly, and she will be missed. May she rest in God’s peace.
D
EDICATION
To those who seek
to bring the Light into the world
M
AP
C
HAPTER
O
NE
"Princess."
Keria turned at Dominic's soft whisper. Her heart ached as she saw Jake lying limp and unmoving in Dominic's arms, tears coming to her eyes despite her attempt to be strong. He had not given any signs of life other than the rise and fall of his chest since that final brilliant display of power that had enabled Creatos’ destruction.
"You need to help Jonas." Dominic said quietly.
In the confusion following Creatos' demise, they had escaped the cliff fortress and were making their way up the surrounding hills to enter the forest. The few scattered groups of demons and half-men they had encountered were quickly overwhelmed by Jonas and Hailyn. Keria had been stunned by the power Jonas wielded when he fought off the attackers. Like an avatar of Light, his dazzling magic had forced back the darkness and destroyed the half-men and Imps with seeming ease.
Looking past Dominic, she saw Jonas in the pale moonlight stumble along, clearly exhausted. Even so, he continued to scan the surrounding area for any threat, his staff gripped tightly in his hand, face determined. Even as she watched, he almost went down as his footing slipped, but he planted his staff to prevent it.
"Go back and lend him support." Dominic continued. "He is out on his feet and my hands are full."
Keria nodded and fell back to Jonas. She stepped close and wrapped her arm around his waist. Jonas gave her a tired smile and put his arm across her shoulders as they continued along. She saw Marcus turn back and frown when he realized that she was at the rear of their line, but he turned back after a short, sharp gesture from Dominic.
They reached the tree line and made their way over the top of the rise and into the forest proper. Keria’s eyes and thoughts turned back to Jake, his head just visible around Dominic's back, rolling slightly with every step Dominic took. He had risked everything for her, appearing like a hero from one of her stories to confront the demon lord. He had fought to rescue her from a fate that was too terrible to contemplate. The mere thought of it sent cold shivers through her body. In the end, he had used his own life force in a desperate attempt to save her when the demon lord moved to kill her. She prayed that Jonas could help him; she owed him her life.
They continued back to where the group had left their horses, weaving silently through the trees. They could hear in the distance the sounds of the half-men riding to and fro, punctuated with faint shouts and curses. Marcus was sure in his direction and they arrived back at the stand of trees that hid their horses. They found the horses unharmed, though Dominic's warhorse was lathered and had several large wounds visible in the faint light.
Safely in the shelter of the trees, Keria saw Hailyn briefly embrace her power and lay her hands on the horse. Keria watched, fascinated, as the gashes closed and the stallion shook its head. As Hailyn reached up to stroke the horse’s head, she released her power, plunging the area back into darkness.
"Princess, you take Jonas' horse; he will ride Dontas." Dominic said as he carried Jake over to Shadow. He gently laid Jake down next to the horse, and then turned back the group. He walked over to stand in front of Jonas.
"You are in no condition to fight." He said, looking intently at Jonas. "Give the girl your staff. She appears to be in better shape than you."
Without waiting for Jonas to respond, Dominic glanced over at Hailyn. "Do you think you can protect the group?" He asked quietly, trying to determine her strength.
"I can, Dominic." She replied resolutely. "I'm tired, but not to the point of exhaustion."
He turned back to Jonas, holding out his hand. Jonas hesitated, but finally nodded and placed the staff in Dominic's hand. Dominic handed it to Hailyn, and then helped Jonas over to Dontas. Dominic helped him into saddle and set his feet in the stirrups, where Jonas swayed slightly as he tried to retain his balance.
"Princess, you will need to ride next to Jonas to keep him on his horse." Dominic said. "We need to get back to the wagon before we can allow him to sleep."
Keria nodded and went over to Jonas' horse, where Marcus helped her onto its back. Keria returned his tight smile and he squeezed her hand before he headed to his horse.
What a tangled mess this is.
She thought as she watched him mount up. He had made his feelings for her clear and now she owed him a blood debt as well; he had also braved the demons to rescue her.
Dominic quickly organized the small party. Marcus led, then the princess and Jonas, followed by Dominic with Jake, and Hailyn guarding the rear. They would stay close and ride as quietly as possible. Dominic wanted to avoid any further contact with the demons and half-men, if at all possible.
Dominic lifted Jake into saddle, keeping him secured with one arm, and swung up behind him. He wrapped his arms around him to grasp Shadow's reins and hold him in the saddle. He nodded to Marcus, who led the small band away from the demons' lair.
...
Striving to stave off the tiring effects from her use of power, Hailyn scanned the surrounding forest, straining to hear any sounds of approaching danger as they made their way back towards the wagon. The forest was quiet, the darkness oppressive, surrounding them like a cloak, making it hard to see very far as they traveled. As she gripped the staff in her right hand, she could feel the carved runes against her palm while she controlled her horse with her left. In the darkness, she could just make out Marcus as he led them through the trees. Her gaze shifted to Dominic, stopping as she glimpsed Jake, unconscious and wrapped in Dominic’s arms. The sight tore at her, but she tried to force herself to focus on the task at hand, though her eyes returned to Jake time and again.
With her attention somewhat distracted, she was startled when Marcus suddenly let out a loud curse as an Imp and four half-men appeared. They had arrived without warning in an opening in the trees. He immediately spun his horse and charged at the group, sword out. Hailyn, shaking off her surprise, quickly embraced her power. The staff magnified her might, her shining form blazed brightly and lit the area. Raising a hand, she unleashed a massive burst of clerics’ fire into the demon. The demon staggered back, cursing in pain, its flesh blistering, while Marcus rode into the half-men, sword moving, scattering them. Before the demon could set itself, Hailyn followed up with another blast of magic, this one overwhelming the demon’s defenses and reducing it to ash.
With the demon destroyed, she shifted her focus on the half-men. She saw one closing with Marcus from behind, sword ready to plunge into his back. Before she could react, a bolt of clerics’ fire struck the half-man and he exploded into ash. She saw Jonas, glowing in power and swaying in his saddle. The princess, her hand on his arm, was supporting him as he struck out again. Hailyn sent a wave of fire racing towards the remaining half-men closing in on Marcus, quickly destroying them.