Yet, it had been Creatos’ bumbling interference that had cost him the boy. He almost had this Jake Thomas as he was crossing over when Creatos blundered in and disrupted his hold on the boy. Creatos had always been jealous of the demon lord having Bruce to serve him. He saw an opportunity to acquire another of these offworlders and tried to take it. In the end, the failure to seize the boy had cost Creatos his very existence.
One less fool to deal with, the demon lord thought. Enough of this useless pacing. Turning on his heel, he went to one of the doors nearby and passed into a long stone hallway.
As he strode down the hall, his brothers and followers pressed against the stone to let him pass. They saw the look on his face and none dared face his wrath. While the thought of Creatos rankled, Helvan caused worry.
Helvan had been a loyal follower, though the demon lord had not really trusted him. Helvan was powerful, but he had preferred guile and games to the use of raw strength. Those machinations could have been turned against the demon lord at anytime, so he had humored Helvan. Fortunately, Helvan rarely failed when given a task.
However, a messenger had arrived just this morning, telling of Helvan’s failure to cripple the two strongest realms of humans on the eastern continent. No word of Helvan’s fate was known, but the demon lord feared that he had been destroyed as well. Surely, the cleric with the staff did not have the power to stand against Helvan alone, so it was likely that he had been confronted by multiple clerics when his schemes went awry.
Regardless of Helvan’s fate, the demon lord felt his control of events slipping away. The sword was now in the hands of the humans, his most powerful followers destroyed or defeated, and the boy still outside of his control. These failures tore at him and made him look weak to his other followers. I abhor weakness, he growled to himself. He clenched his fists tightly as his anger grew and picked up his pace. I will educate these puny humans on what true power is.
He exited onto a stone patio that extended out from the side of his fortress. Waiting on that patio were one of his strongest remaining brothers and the human commander of his forces. Both bowed low as he stopped at the rail and looked out towards the harbor several miles away.
In the harbor were hundreds of ships, tied off next to each other with planks connecting their decks. Outside of the town on the harbor were long rows of tents. Smoke from cooking fires and the kilns rose from that enormous encampment.
“When can you sail, Commander?” he asked.
“The ships are provisioned as you commanded, master,” the man replied with eagerness in his voice. He was a tall man with long hair tied off behind his head. He had the look of a man who enjoyed fighting. He had scars on his face and his dark eyes were merciless. He wore the light armor of his people, but carried a large warhammer, which was odd considering that these people had long been sailors. “I can have the men onboard and ready to depart on the morning tide.”
The demon lord knew that the men who served him had been growing restless since he had ordered a halt to their raids to build his army. He would put that energy to good use.
“Are our brothers and sisters prepared?” the demon lord asked the other demon.
“We are ready to go,” his brother replied. The demon was heavily muscled, its pale gray arms and legs smooth and hairless. Its human-like face was expressionless, its black eyes unreadable.
“First, send a messenger in a swift ship to those fools who went with Creatos, and then give the orders to depart,” the demon lord commanded. “You are to take the ships and army and head east. You are to go crush this Tomaris and recover the Guardian’s sword. After that, you may attack and plunder at will.”
After they bowed and left, the demon lord stood on the patio, looking out over his army. Seeing that force arrayed, he felt more in control. I will show these humans once and for all who rules this world.
CHAPTER SIX
Early the next morning, with the sun just above the horizon, Jake rose from his bed and began to dress. He shook his head slightly as he put his armor on. Only yesterday he was sure he would never need it again. What a difference a day makes, he thought ruefully.
He was packing his saddlebags when the connecting door opened and Hailyn came in. She was dressed and packed, her saddlebags over her shoulder. She gave him a small smile as she came over and helped him finish packing.
With the scent of her perfume lightly in the air, Jake smiled as well. He knew that she was pleased that he was still here, but had not expressed it since he was still cut off from his family. He had mixed emotions on the situation, but as long as he was here, he was content as long as Hailyn was at his side.
There was a light knock on his door. He went over and opened it to find Learthe waiting outside. “Tomaris has asked that when you are ready to please come down to his dining room to share the morning meal before your departure,” she said politely. She glanced in the room and saw the bags on the floor. “Can I be of any assistance this morning?”
“No, thank you,” Jake replied. “We are almost packed. We will be down in a few minutes.”
“I will inform Tomaris and have food prepared,” she answered. With a nod of her head, she turned and left.
Jake finished belting on his weapons and took one last look around. Only a couple of days in a bed and it’s back on the road, he mused, shaking his head. I hope I can spend a few weeks in bed when this is all over. If I survive, of course. His good humor dampened with that last thought.
“Ready?” he asked Hailyn as he slung his saddlebags over his shoulder.
“I’m ready,” she said, giving him a quick kiss.
They left the room, hand in hand, walking slowly to the dining room. When they arrived, they found Tomaris sitting at the head of the table, a fire burning in the fireplace behind him. The sword was resting on the table in front of him.
“Come and sit, children,” he said warmly. “I have a few last words to share before you leave.”
He waited until Jake and Hailyn were seated. “I know that this task seems daunting, even impossible. But many would have deemed it impossible for you to recover the sword. You must keep faith in your power and in each other.”
He picked up a long leather scabbard that was lying on the floor next to his chair. “I had this made yesterday for you. Its straps allow you to carry it slung across your back.” He lifted the sword, the blade flaring, and slid it into the scabbard.
He held it in his hands for a moment and looked over at Jake, his countenance somber. “However, there is something that you will not like. To maintain our deception, you must not use the sword.”
“Are you crazy?” Jake asked, dumbfounded by the statement. “You want us to go in search of this demon lord and we can’t use the sword? Why not just-” he cut off when Tomaris raised a hand.
“Hear me out,” Tomaris said patiently. “The sword’s very presence will aid you, increasing your power, as you know. With its presence and Hailyn’s bracelet, you should be a match for any demon you may encounter. If you touch or use it before you reach him, the demon lord will know. It is clear that he can sense the sword’s power or he would not have been able to stop me yesterday. We must make sure he believes that the sword remains at the Keep. It is with that mistaken belief that you will be able to approach and catch him unawares.”
He produced an oddly shaped leather pouch that he used to cover the hilt and pommel, tying it with small straps to the scabbard. Satisfied, he handed the sword to Jake.
As Jake took the sword, he could feel gentle warmth seeping through the leather. He propped it up against his chair and faced Tomaris.
“What if I need its power?” he asked. “If we are going to die and the sword can save us, what am I to do?”
“If your lives depend on it, of course you should use its power,” the old man said. “I am not asking you to sacrifice your life to maintain the deception. Just know that if you use it, the demon lord will be forewarned and your task will be much harder.
The demon will have time to prepare and our best chance of success is to catch him by surprise.”
Jake nodded glumly. Hailyn reached over and gave his hand a squeeze of reassurance.
The doors of the room opened and a couple of servants came in, carrying trays of food. After the food was on the table, the servants left, closing the door behind them.
“Please eat,” Tomaris said. Once they had begun to eat, he spoke again. “Before you leave, we must discuss this ability that Jake has demonstrated. This power you described is not something I have heard of anyone possessing. Having thought on it, I may have been wrong on the reasons the demons wanted you. I believed that the magic you wield was what made you different. It is now clear to me it is this new ability that they wished to control. They must have learned of it from the one you called Bruce.”
He shook his head slowly. “Imagine the possibilities. They could use you to control kingdoms, if you could get close enough to the ruler. You could help them crush any resistance by taking the will to fight from their enemies.”
“It is this will that the Creator has given man, the freedom to choose good or ill, that they detest. Due to their power and immortality, they see themselves as the rightful rulers of man. That a human could defy them inflames their hatred. The great irony is that the Creator also gave them free will and they used it to defy Him.”
“It is in this that I share Hailyn’s concerns, Jake. While I do not doubt your goodness, if you continued to strip the will from others, you may find that kind of power can be sweet. This Bruce, though he was under the demons’ dominion, should be a warning to you. He lost sight that the people he hurt and controlled were individuals with the right to choose their own fates. To take from them this precious gift sounds too close to what the demons do to those deluded fools that give themselves over, the ones you call half-men.”
He leaned forward slightly. “However, I will not say that you should not use this ability if you have no other option, as with the bandits. Just be aware of the risks and consequences of your actions.”
“One final caution, child. You should not use this ability on anyone under the demons’ influence. Their life energy is corrupted by the demons’ power. I do not know what will happen to you if you absorb that tainted energy. You said that you also pulled in the emotions of the men when you use it. Imagine the emotions to which you would be exposing yourself, if you drew in a half-man’s energy. Better to use your magic and destroy that person than to risk that consequence.”
Jake nodded slowly in agreement, taken aback. He had never considered that he might have to use this ability on half-men. Images of Matus and Surt flashed in his head. He shuddered slightly at the thought of taking in their emotions. “I will remember that, Tomaris,” he said.
“Good. Now please enjoy your meal,” the old man said, gesturing at the food.
Once they had finished eating, Tomaris walked with them to the great hall. Hansa was standing there with a couple of soldiers holding Jake and Hailyn’s horses, saddled and ready to go. Jake noticed a large bag in Hansa’s hand. After he had slung his saddlebags and strapped the sword to his saddle, he turned back to Tomaris.
“Commander Hansa,” Tomaris said, gesturing towards Jake. Hansa came over and handed Jake the bag. He took it, finding the bag heavy and hearing the soft clink of coins. He looked back to Tomaris.
“I said I would provide you with gold to hire a ship,” Tomaris said softly. “Keep it safe until you reach your destination.”
Jake nodded and reorganized his saddlebags, pressing the gold to the bottom and covering it with his other supplies.
When he was finished, Tomaris stepped closer to him and Hailyn. “Now, you leave on a mission that will test your courage and resolve,” he said softly. “Watch over each other and hold faith that the Creator will provide you with the skill and power to overcome the demons’ dark power. Stay in the Light and the Darkness can never take you.”
He reached out and gently embraced Jake, then Hailyn. Once they mounted their horse, Tomaris spoke again. “One last counsel,” he said. “Stay off the roads and avoid others as much as possible. The sword radiates energy that both clerics and demons can detect if they are close enough.”
Jake nodded. “I can’t thank you for all you have done for me, Tomaris,” he said quietly. “I will try to not let you down.”
“My dear boy, you have done more than any could have expected. You can never disappoint me,” Tomaris replied with a wide smile. “It has been my honor to have had a small part in your life.”
“Now, go. May the Creator grant you His protection,” he said, raising a hand in farewell.
Jake and Hailyn returned the gesture and spurred their horses forward, riding out of the Keep.
Tomaris watched them ride away, and then turned to Hansa. “Commander, please have a messenger with a fast horse standing ready. I will have a letter that I need sent to Sanduas.”
“As you command,” Hansa said as Tomaris slowly walked back towards his study.
…
In the late afternoon, with the sky overcast with gray clouds threatening rain, a small party appeared at the gates of the Keep. Hooded and cloaked, four in number, they rode directly to the gate and waited. The sentries called down for Commander Hansa. With archers covering him from above, Hansa had the gate opened. He strode out and confronted the group.
“I am Commander Hansa of Tomaris’ Guard,” he said, voice neutral. “What business brings you to the Keep?”
“I’m glad to see that you are maintaining good order, Hansa,” a familiar voice said. The person closest to Hansa reached up and pushed his hood back, revealing a handsome dark face with an amused smile on his lips. The others also lowered their hoods.
“Greetings, Captain Deepwood,” Hansa said warmly, saluting. “It is a blessing to see you safe and returned to us.”
“I’m happy to be back,” Moshanna said as he slid out of his saddle and shook Hansa’s hand. He gestured back towards the others. “With me are two clerics sent by Jonas of Sanduas, Halana and Taric, whom you may remember.”
“I do,” Hansa replied. He bowed slightly to the clerics. “Be welcome to the Keep, Sister Halana and Brother Taric.”
“This is the Lady Sharin,” Moshanna said as he held out a hand to help her off her horse. “She is my heart and my life. She will be joining us at the Keep.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Commander Hansa,” she said politely. “Moshanna has told me of the great respect and affection he holds for you.”
“It is my honor, my lady,” Hansa replied, bowing deeply to her. “Know that I am at your service.”
“Let us go inside before the rain sets in,” Moshanna said, gesturing at the gates. “I have much to discuss with Tomaris.”
As they made their way to the Keep, Moshanna noted that Halana and Taric had their heads together, quietly discussing something, their expression one of wonder and confusion as they looked around. They had been somewhat distracted since they had ridden into the mountains surrounding the Keep. They would not tell him what it was, but they wanted to speak to Tomaris about whatever had their interest.
“I saw a Keep messenger riding hard west when we rode past Numaria,” Moshanna said to Hansa. “I did not stop him. What was that about?”
“Tomaris sent a letter to the Chief Cleric of Sanduas,” Hansa told him. “He insisted that the messenger ride as quickly as possible.”
“Do you know what was in the letter?” Moshanna asked.
“No, but I believe that it had something to do with Jake and the young cleric he was with,” Hansa responded.
Moshanna was taken aback. “Jake was here? When was that?”
“The last couple of days. They left just this morning,” the man replied.
“Where to?”
“Tomaris did not say,” Hansa said. “You know how he can be.”
“That is something else I will speak with him about,” Moshanna stated.
&nbs
p; They made their way into the Keep and went directly to Tomaris’ study. Moshanna found him sitting in his chair, reading an ancient-looking scroll. A smile crossed the old man’s face as he saw them enter.
“Moshanna, my son, it is good to see you again,” Tomaris said, relief and welcome in his voice. He glanced over at Sharin. “It is doubly good to see that you have found what you had left behind and thought lost. Especially something so beautiful.”
“Tomaris, this is my love Sharin, the one we have discussed,” Moshanna said proudly. “Sharin, this is Tomaris.”
“Greetings, Master Tomaris,” Sharin said with a graceful curtsy. “You have my eternal thanks for giving Moshanna a purpose in those dark early years, saving him from doing something reckless.”
“Please call me Tomaris, my dear,” he replied. “It is an honor to have such a beauty to brighten the gray stone walls of the Keep.”
Tomaris turned to the clerics. “Who is this other lovely child?” he asked, looking at Halana.
“My name is Halana,” she replied. “Taric has spoken of the Keep and I now understand his fascination.”
Tomaris cast a knowing smile at the two standing next to each other. “Young Taric is kind. Be welcome to the Keep.”
“I have a letter from Jonas for you, Tomaris,” Taric said, producing a folded and sealed parchment.
“Thank you, Taric,” Tomaris said, taking it. “Let us retire to the dining room where we will have more room.”
Once they were seated, Tomaris asked them to share what had happened since they left the Keep. Moshanna and Taric did most of the talking, relating the trip to Aletonia and Parshalthia. Food was brought as they told their story, relating the events in the capital. They finished with their journey to Sanduas and return to the Keep.
The Eternal Darkness (The Jake Thomas Trilogy - Book 3) Page 8
