The Jake Thomas Trilogy: Book 02 - Sword of Light (26 page)

They maintained this pattern as they made their way deeper into the city, alternating the entry team at each building.  The sun was directly overhead, its light brilliant against the earth, physically draining in its heat.  They were rapidly depleting their water supply, but continued on.

They had cleared nearly a quarter of the buildings when suddenly Halana stopped them.  “Do you feel that?”  She asked quietly, glancing at the other clerics.  The clerics exchanged looks with each other and nodded.

“I feel like there is something calling to me, faintly and in that direction.”  Welsen said, pointing towards the large building in the center of the city.  “I don’t know what it is, but I think we need to abandon our search of the buildings and find out.”  The other clerics nodded, looking to Dominic.

“I agree with you, Brother.”  He said after considering what was said.  “Our search is not bearing any fruit, so let’s follow your feelings.  We can always return to this building and continue, if needed.”

The group changed direction and headed towards the center building.  While the clerics said that the feeling was growing stronger, Dominic was more concerned about what would be ahead, possibly guarding whatever was attracting the clerics.

Kalisia moved up next to Dominic.  He looked at her curiously.  “We approach the place where you will need me.”  She said, eyes roaming from building to building.

The street suddenly widened into a large plaza surrounding the building that they sought.  They halted and looked around, seeking any hint of movement, but saw nothing.  Across the plaza, the building tall building reared above them.  There was an opening at the front, up a set of stone stairs and between the center columns, the doors long since gone, the room behind cloaked in shadow.

At Dominic’s signal, the group started across the plaza, moving rapidly, focused on their target.  They were almost to the base of the steps when a bolt of demon fire streaked in from a side street, catching them off guard and slammed into one of the soldiers, encasing him in its dark power.  He screamed once and collapsed into a smoldering heap before the clerics could even react.

“Move inside!”  Dominic yelled, as more dark magic began to rain down on them.  Dominic saw demons moving between buildings, along with their human followers.  The clerics were hard pressed to deflect all of the demons’ fire, their might slashing and flaring into the sky.

As they made it to the opening, the clerics sent their fire through the opening to clear it.  Dominic leaped through the opening, his sword ready, but the room beyond was empty.

The party moved to either side of the opening, the clerics next to the doorway to counter any demons.  Dominic glanced quickly outside and saw the demons surrounding the outside plaza.  They were trapped inside.

“We can hold them off for a while.”  Dominic said.  “There is only one way they can enter, so the clerics can concentrate their power.  However, we have limited water and food.  Eventually, we will need to fight our way clear, unless there is another way out.”

“I will search the rest of the building.”  Dominic continued.  “It appears to be empty, but we need to be sure there is no other way in or out.”  He held up his hand when Moshanna began to object.  “Your master has given me a gift.”  He said, tapping his sword.  “I know how to fight them and now have some protection if I encounter one.  We know of the ones outside; we need to keep our forces here.”  Moshanna frowned, but nodded his head.

“You are in command here, Moshanna.”  Dominic told the party as he began to move off.  “I will return as quickly as I can.”

As he started towards the rear of the room, Kalisia joined him.  “I must stay with you, Dominic.” 
She said, sounding frightened.  “It is what I saw.”

He nodded.  “Stay behind me, then.”

They found a door against the back wall, hanging crookedly from a broken hinge.  Dominic pushed it out of the way, the remaining metal hinge squealing in protest, the sound echoing throughout the room.  When it was large enough to pass, he ducked through, and then held it for Kalisia.

There was enough light streaming in from cracks and other small openings along the roof that he could make out where they were going.  They were in a wide hallway that led to another set of doors at the end, with several openings along the way.  The air turned cooler as they headed deeper into the building, granting some relief from the overbearing heat.

Dominic checked each opening as they went, entering the dimly lit rooms, but only finding pieces of broken furniture covered in dust and faded paint on the walls.  Finally, they reached the door at the end of the hall.

Dominic reached over and lifted the handle on the latch.  It took a moment before the latch broke free, frozen by the long years.  He leaned against the door and pushed.  It took some effort, but he was able open it about halfway before it stuck.

Slipping through the door, he saw that they were in a large hall, faint light coming in places where the tumble of stone in the back corner opened to the sky.  Near the center of the hall, he saw what was once an ornate table, standing by itself, no chairs around it.  His eyes widened slightly when he saw that it shone faintly with light, separate from the light coming in.  He cautiously approached the table and reached out to touch it.  He felt a tingling warmth spread across his hand as he touched it.  He knew instinctively that the sword had once been there.  The only question now was if it was still in the city.

He started to turn towards Kalisia when he felt the familiar chill of the presence of a demon.  He quickly reached out and pulled her close, keeping her behind him as he slowly circled, scanning the room.  He detected movement back near the collapsed corner and spun to face it, sword ready.

“It is not here, foolish mortal.”  A deep, inhuman voice echoed across the room.  Dominic watched as the demon appeared.  He had never seen one like this one.  It was human-like, with reddish skin and a pair of black horns on its head.  “I congratulate you for finding this place.  I have not seen a mortal get this far.  My brothers outside usually deal with such interlopers.”

Dominic turned slightly, keeping his eyes on the demon, speaking quietly over his shoulder.  “When I attack, I want you to run back to the others to warn them.”  He told Kalisia.  “I will keep the demon off you while you flee.”  Without waiting for her reply, he leapt over the table and sprinted towards the demon.  “Go!”  He called out.

The demon was taken aback by Dominic’s sudden charge, but recovered, launching a bolt of demon fire as it moved towards him.  It stopped again when Dominic’s sword flared, the golden-white light throwing back the shadows as it broke apart the demon’s attack.

Dominic continued to advance, even as he caught sight, in that flash of light, of a twin of the demon he faced, moving to flank him.  He closed with the demon in front of him, his sword shattering the demon’s attacks.

The demon leaped back as Dominic swung his sword, the tip barely missing.  He sensed the other demon coming from behind, hearing the claws on its feet rattling against the stone floor as it ran towards him.  He spun and ducked, then brought the sword up.  The demon, surrounded in its dark power, twisted in its leap when it saw the sword in its path.  Dominic compensated for the move, standing and swinging the sword.  The demon screamed as the blade, aflame with light, sliced across its stomach, leaving a deep cut streaming dark blood.  It tumbled to the floor, writhing in pain.

Its twin surged forward, firing blasts of demon fire at Dominic as it tried to close the gap.  The sword flared again, but Dominic noticed that the light did not shine as brilliantly with each attack it defeated.  He grimly realized that the power of the sword was fading.

Trying to take advantage of whatever power remained, he moved, sliding sideways at the last possible moment, as the demon charged, claws extended.  He was able to slice across its ribs as he avoided the claws.  The demon cried out as the sword bit into its flesh, stumbling away.

Dominic did not wait, but ran towards the demon on the floor, stabbing downwards when he was close enough.  The sword slid into the demon, blazing again.  The demon screamed again as the light burned into it.  Dominic held it there, even as he watched the other demon turn back towards him.  Suddenly, the demon exploded into ash, knocking Dominic off his feet.

Before Dominic could rise, his ears ringing from the blast, the other demon was on him.  It slashed at his chest, its claws raking across his breastplate, but the metal resisted the blow.  Dominic swung the sword, clipping the demon on its lower leg.  The demon cursed and leapt back, sending a wave of dark fire at Dominic.

The sword flared again, but this time the magic did not completely protect him.  He felt the demon’s power burn him, his skin blistering where it touched.  Ignoring the pain, he closed with it, stabbing and finding a mark, the blade penetrating its side.

Bellowing, the demon swung its arm, catching Dominic on his breastplate and knocking him back towards the table, rolling across the floor.  As he tried to halt his momentum, the sword was dislodged from his hand.  He stopped and threw himself back towards the sword, knowing it was too late as he saw the demon, clutching its wounds, bring its other arm up, its dark power concentrating on its hand.

Suddenly, a bolt of weak green fire struck the demon.  Even as Dominic reached the sword, Kalisia ran past, her body glowing with her power.

“No, girl!”  Dominic shouted as she ran straight at the demon, which was bringing its arm up.  Dominic got to his feet and moved, but could not save her.  The demon’s power struck her, the opposing powers crackling as they met, sending her flying back, her high-pitched scream sounding as her body burned.

Before the demon could react, Dominic was on it, the sword slashing.  The demon cried out again as the sword cut across its belly, trying to move away and gain distance.  Dominic stayed with it, driving the sword deep into its chest, his face a mask of rage.  The sword shone weakly, but Dominic did not relay on its power.  He pushed and pulled at it, cutting into the demon.  The demon’s power flared, burning Dominic, but he did not relent.  He twisted the sword and then yanked it out.  As the demon fell back, he swung it with all of his strength.  The blade slashed across the demon’s neck.  The demon collapsed, its head rolling away from its body.

Dominic staggered back, the pain from the burns intense, but ignored it as he moved to Kalisia.  Dropping next to her, he gently cradled her head, her skin covered in burns.  She was able to open her eyes.

“What was that foolishness, girl?”  Dominic said gently.  “I told you to run.”

“I could not.”  She said weakly.  “I told you that I had to come with you for you to have success.”

“The sword is not here.”  He said softly.

“That is not what I meant.”  She said, voice fading.  “When you freed me, I saw my end.  In that death, I knew that I would save you.  I glimpsed that you have important things still to do, actions that may mean the end of the demons.  I saw that your life was more important than mine.”

“I have survived many things, girl.”  Dominic said.  “You may have been wrong.”

“I am never wrong about what I see, Northman.”  She gasped, then her body relaxed, slipping into death.

Dominic gently picked her up and carried her to the table.  He placed her on it, feeling it was as fitting a resting place as he would find.  As he turned to leave, he saw the table’s glow suddenly increase, filling the room in soft white light.  It surrounded Kalisia’s body, the burns fading away as Dominic watched incredulously.  She remained still, her life gone, but the light stayed in place.  Dominic knew suddenly that it would protect her from any despoiling by the demons.

In that light, he saw what looked like a doorway against the far corner.  He slowly walked over and found a closed door.  After some struggle, he was able to open it.  He saw a set of stairs that extended down into a tunnel.  He followed the tunnel, listening for movement.  He came to another set of stairs.  Cautiously, he climbed them and opened the door at the top.

He found himself in a small building, empty except for a shattered chair in the corner.  Moving to the doorway that led outside, he felt the heat of the day drifting in.  Glancing out, he saw that the building was in a set of structures a block or so away from the large building.  The streets were deserted, but he could hear the demons surrounding the center building in the distance.

Dominic made his way back down the tunnel and returned to the others, grimacing as he went, his injuries making walking painful.  As he sat down to allow Halana to heal him, he told the others what happened.  When he was healed, he stood.

“Have the demons tried to get in?”  He asked Moshanna.

“No.” He replied.  “They have not moved, simply standing out there watching.”

“The demons are probably waiting until night before they attack.”  He told the others.  A sudden smile creased his face.  “Let’s let them find an empty building for their trouble.  Follow me.”  He turned and led them away to safety.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The cold rain continued to fall as Jake and Hailyn rode through the trees of the forest, darkening his mood.  The weather had turned on them as they climbed into the hills, but Jake had hoped that the trees would give some relief.  To his consternation, all the trees seemed to be doing was gathering the drops of rain and making larger drops that landed on his hood with some force.  He
shivered as the cold air seemed to seep into every corner of his body.  Even with his gloves, his hands felt frozen.  With his hand on the rope somewhat numb, he glanced back to make sure the packhorse was still behind him.

They had left Turlic’s two days before, heading in a northeasterly direction.  They were following Hailyn’s interpretations of where the bracelet wanted them to go. 
So far, all it has done is lead us into this miserable rain.
  Jake thought, irritated. 
We could be back at Turlic’s, enjoying a warm meal.

Thinking of Turlic reminded him of the day of the island fight.  The last thing he remembered was stumbling onto the beach.  He had drifted in darkness for a time, and then woke up on Turlic’s boat as it neared the dock, the sun still shining above them.  He woke facing Hailyn, who was sleeping next to him.  He and Hailyn had stayed at Turlic’s home that night, both exhausted from the battle.  When they prepared to leave the next morning, they told Turlic and Ralien that they would be heading towards the northeast.

“You will need more clothing than you seem to be carrying, Jake.”  Turlic said.  “The country in that direction is comprised of hills and forests, with changeable weather.  At this time of year, the temperature can fall before you know it or you can get caught in snowstorms in the hills.”

“Well, that is the direction we have to go.”  Jake said.  “We do have the heavy cloaks that Brother Kal gave us.”

“The cloaks may be adequate, but you need gloves and thick blankets if you want to survive a snowstorm.”  Turlic insisted.

“Is there a market nearby that we can find these things, Turlic?”  Hailyn asked.

“If you will delay your departure for a day, I can retrieve what you need.”  Turlic stated.  “Take your rest here for the day.  I will sail to a merchant and be back before dark.”

So they had stayed at Turlic’s for another day, resting.  Besides eating and napping, Jake had gone out to the barn to check on the horses, and then strolled around the area, while Hailyn stayed behind and chatted with Ralien and Milyn.  Just as dusk was approaching, Turlic returned with the extra supplies.

Early the next morning, after a large breakfast, they packed their supplies and saddled their horses.  Before they could leave, Turlic came out of the barn with another horse, this one with a couple of large packs hanging from its sides.  He handed the guide rope to Jake.

“Take the horse with you.”  Turlic said.  “There are extra blankets, rope and food in the packs.  You can find water as you travel, but there are not many trading posts in that direction.”

“We cannot take that, Turlic.”  Hailyn said.  “You and your family need the horse more than we do.”

“I will not take no for an answer, Sister.”  Turlic said, stepping back.  “You have given us a miraculous gift; the horse is simply a small token of our thanks.  I can always buy another.”

Seeing that he was set on his intention, Jake nodded to him.  “Thank you, Turlic.  We appreciate the gift.”

With some final farewells, he and Hailyn had ridden away.  They made good time the first day. The weather had been mild and pleasant, with the light wind pushing the fluffy clouds across the sun, their shadows drifting across the lake and the land.  They had left the lake behind and were entering the hills when darkness fell.

Today was different.  They woke to a cold wind blowing and a solid layer of grey clouds blocking the sun.  Shortly after they started heading into the hills, the rain began to fall.  The cloaks kept most of the moisture away, though it did not cover their legs very well.  Jake could feel the water soaking his pants, with some running into his boots, despite his best efforts to keep them dry.  The dampness added to the chill he felt.

Hailyn dropped back next to him.  “How are you doing?”  She asked.

“Besides being soaked to the bone and feeling like I am covered in ice, just swell.”  He said grumpily.

“Don’t take out your frustration on me.”  Hailyn said sharply.  “I am riding in the same cold rain as you.”

Jake initially gritted his teeth at her tone, but relaxed after a few moments as he realized that she was right.  “I’m sorry.  I just hate being cold and wet.”  He said contritely.

Placing a hand on his arm, she laughed a soft laugh and said gently.  “I don’t like being cold and wet, either.”

Her form shone brightly as she called up her power.  She pulled off her glove and placed her hand on his cheek.  Besides her warm and soft skin, he felt the heat of her magic descend into his body and break apart the icy grip of the wind and rain.  She held it there for a few moments, and then withdrew her hand, replacing the glove.

“Thanks, Hailyn.”  He said gratefully.  “I feel better now.”

Smiling, she replied.  “You only have to ask if you need me to do it again.”

Continuing on, they headed deeper into the hills, navigating through the mud and muck.  As the light began to fade, the rain finally let up.  Though the cold wind was continuing to blow, the lack of rain was a relief.  Looking for a place to camp, they found an area under a group of tree growing close together that looked like it was mostly sheltered from the rain.  The ground was damp, but not soaked.

After tying off the horses and laying down one of the thick blankets, Jake and Hailyn sat and ate a cold meal of rations, since there was no dry wood available for a fire.  They were sitting there, talking quietly, as darkness descended over the forest.  After a while, Hailyn stood up and went over to her pack.

“We need to change out of these wet clothes.”  She said as she pulled out some dry clothes.  “I think we should string the rope and hang the clothes to dry as much as possible before we repack them.”

Jake got up and pulled the rope from the packs, tying it off between two trees.  When he turned back, he saw that Hailyn had wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and was using it to cover herself as she changed underneath.  Jake turned his back to give her privacy, going to the other side of Dontas and changing his clothes.

When he returned, feeling better having dry clothes on, he could just make out that Hailyn was lying on the blanket.  She was leaning on her elbow, with the blanket she used to change and an extra one covering her.  He was deciding were to lay his blanket down when she spoke.

“Jake, we should probably share the blankets tonight.”  She said softly.  “With the coldness of the wind and possible rain, sleeping next to each other will allow us to keep warm.”

Jake was grateful that it was dark as he blushed deeply, taken aback by her suggestion.  He tried to shrug it off as he gathered their cloaks from the rope.  He came over and laid them across the blankets.  “That should help if it rains.”  He said, trying to act nonchalant as he crawled under the blankets.

After adjusting the blankets to make sure they were covered, he rolled over onto his side, facing Hailyn.  With the night being so dark, he could just make out her shadowy outline as she faced him.  He could feel the warmth radiating from her body as she shifted closer.  He began to sweat a little, suddenly nervous. 
Calm down, idiot.
  He told himself.

He flinched slightly when she laid a hand on his face.  They stayed like that for a few moments, and then she sighed deeply.  “You can be so frustrating at times, Jake.”  She said softly as she leaned in and kissed him.

He froze momentarily, surprised.  While he had enjoyed kissing Keria, he found that Hailyn’s kiss felt different, more meaningful and right.  His hesitation now gone, he pulled her close and kissed her back.

…

As the forest became lighter, signaling dawn, Jake softly slipped from the blankets, trying not to wake Hailyn.  He stretched and grabbed his boots, pulling them on, but not lacing them.  Shivering from the crisp morning air, he went over to the horses, checking on their condition.  Seeing that they were fine, he started putting on his armor.  He felt odd, though not in a bad way, as he considered what had happened last night.  It took him a moment to realize that his feelings came from the fact that it was the first time he had slept with a girl.

Just slept.
  He thought, amused, shaking his head as he remembered.  When their passions had risen, holding each other close, Hailyn had gently pushed him away.

“I am a cleric.”  She said as she softly stroked his face.  “We teach that the physical side of love is reserved for a man and woman within the marriage bond, blessed by the One.  I believe that to be true, so I cannot betray my beliefs.”

“I understand.”  Jake told her, enjoying her closeness, though he had to admit to a little disappointment.

“Of course, even if I were to throw aside my beliefs for you, this is clearly not the place.”  She said with a little laugh.  “A rough, damp blanket on muddy ground, with horses only a few paces away, is not how I pictured my first time.”  So, they talked and held each other until they drifted off to sleep.

Smiling at the memory, Jake finished putting on his armor and sword, and then saddled the horses.  As he was finishing, Hailyn woke up and looked over at him.

“Good morning.”  She said contently.

“Good morning.”  Jake replied, walking over and giving her a kiss.  “We probably should eat, get packed and start moving.”

Once they started riding, Jake felt a bit better as the weather was better than the day before.  The air was still cold, though a bit warmer, but the wind had died down and, despite the gray skies, no rain fell.

The forest grew thicker as they rode.  There was no trail to follow; they had to make due with what they found.  Fallen trees and boulders would sometimes force them to double-back until they found a way around.

Despite the setbacks, Hailyn was sure they were heading the right direction.  “I can feel it pulling me, Jake.”  She said.  “We have to continue in the direction we are going.”

So they slowly worked their way to the northeast.  They tried to find sheltered campsites as they rode, as the weather continued to change day-by-day.  Every evening, they were sleeping next to each other, talking quietly and holding one another.

…

On the morning of the sixth day since they left the lake, Jake had risen before Hailyn, as was their normal morning habit.  He had finished dressing, his armor and weapons on, and was saddling Hailyn’s horse when it and the packhorse started acting nervous, snorting and stamping their hooves.  Dontas began to rear up, whinnying loudly.  Jake took a step back, wondering what was happening.  He glanced back at Hailyn, who had sat up in the blankets.  Suddenly, her eyes went wide and pointed behind him.  “JAKE!”  She screamed.

He spun, reaching for his sword, and he saw a large brown and tan lion leaping at him.  The lion resembled a mountain lion, only larger, more like an African lion.  Jake saw its long fangs as the cat opened its mouth, its claws extended.

He threw up his left arm to protect his face, unable to get out of the way.  The lion caught his forearm in its mouth as it collided with him, driving him to the ground.  His armor protected his arm and chest, but the cat’s hind claws sank into his thighs, sudden points of agony causing him to cry out, his voice adding to the chaos as the horses reared, whinnying loudly, and struggled against their restraints.

Jake could smell the fetid breath of the lion, inches from his face, the sound of its front claws raking against his breastplate sounding in his ears.  Desperate, he reached down with his right hand and found his dagger.  He drew it and slammed it into the lion’s side.  The cat shuddered and began to convulse as Jake yanked his dagger out and drove it home again.

Suddenly, the cat leapt off of Jake, rolling on the ground, its legs moving, but unable to stand.  Mewing, it collapsed on its side, panting and oozing blood.

Jake, shaken and in pain, tried to move, but his legs were too badly damaged.  As he tried to get control of his pain, Hailyn was there, her hands on his head, her magic streaming into him. The pain from his wounds faded in that gentle heat, the wounds sealing.  Once the healing was done, with Hailyn supporting him, he stood.

He looked over at the lion and saw its efforts weakening, blood now visible on its muzzle.  Jake wiped the blood off his dagger, sheathing it, and drew his sword.  He moved to finish off the cat when Hailyn stopped him.

“Wait, Jake.”  She said, putting her hand on his sword arm.  “Don’t kill it.  Let me heal it, instead.”

“What are you freaking talking about?!”  Jake asked, incredulous.  “That thing almost killed me.”

“It was only doing what it knows.”  She said, face firm.  “It is a creature of the One and should not be killed unless we must.”

“So, if you heal it, what is to stop it from attacking us again?”  Jake said starkly.  “I know that you feel strongly about this, but we can’t take the chance.”  He started towards the lion, again.

“Jake, please.”  Hailyn pleaded.  “It has lost a lot of blood.  Even if I heal it, it will be weak and will most likely crawl away.”