It was when they arrived on the second night that Kal presented them with sealed letters and informed them that they would leave the next morning.
“The letters are from the queen.” He had told them. “If you are stopped by soldiers or need assistance, simply present these letters. They inform the reader that you are traveling on behalf of the queen and, if presented, that person is forbidden to interfere with you and must provide any assistance needed, if asked.”
“Thank you, Brother.” Hailyn replied. “This is a great gift. We had only hoped to be given leave to depart.”
“Well, before you thank me, there is a condition.” Kal replied with a smile. “A Beragan cleric will accompany you to ensure that, if the information is found, it is shared. Now, I trust Jonas, but I agreed to satisfy the queen.”
“We understand.” Hailyn responded politely. “A local cleric should make the journey go faster since they will know the land, the people and their customs.”
“I thought the same.” Kal said. He looked over at Jake, a playful gleam in his eye. “Once you are clear of the city, you can change back into your armor and wear your weapons. We can’t have anyone coming up to you for healing by mistake.”
“How did you know?” Jake asked, aghast. He had been so sure that he had not given any hints that he was not a cleric.
Kal laughed, shaking his head. “Jonas informed me in his letter. He explained that you were not a cleric, but a soldier sent to protect Sister Hailyn. He apologized for the deception, but wrote that he believed that you traveling as a cleric to the capital would avoid delays or questions of your intent.” He paused. “I think that I agree with him. You riding here openly probably would have roused suspicions in the palace and made it much harder for me to secure your departure.”
“Won’t my armor and weapons still attract attention?” Jake asked.
“You may attract some due to the fact that you are an outsider, but since it is clear that Sister Hailyn is not Beragan, you riding with her will not seem strange. The sight of a soldier riding with a cleric is commonplace here.” Kal replied. “Also, you will be with Wilham, the cleric I am sending with you. His presence will likely keep most questions at bay. ”
After dinner, they were introduced to Wilham. He had responded to Kal’s summons, striding into Kal’s study, an air of quiet confidence about him. He was polite, but serious. He had been with the clerics since his mid-teens, becoming a warrior cleric after his apprenticeship. He had traveled to the west several times and was familiar with the Crescent Hills and the land beyond.
The morning they left, with the sky cloudy and a cool northerly wind blowing, Kal had given them heavy cloaks with hoods, made of leather with a waxy coating on the outside. “These will help keep you warm and dry.” He had said. “The weather can change rapidly on the plains, sunny and warm one day, stormy and cold the next.”
Following Wilham, they had ridden to the western road and kept a steady pace. The road, cutting across the rolling plains, a light brown slice in the waving green grass, was made of hard-packed dirt, relatively smooth despite the many wagons and horses that traveled it. They had spent the first night at an inn in a small village, waking in the early morning and riding on until the early afternoon, but now stuck by the cattle drive.
Jake, seeing the other travelers move away from Hailyn and Wilham, ducked under Dontas’ neck, and moved closer to them.
“How much longer are we going to be stuck here?” Jake asked, his irritation clear in his voice. “Can’t we ride around this somehow?”
“Have patience, Taric.” Wilham said. Jake and Hailyn agreed that he should continue to use that name with others. “It may not seem it, but we will be on our way soon.” He pointed to a cattle driver wearing a bright red cloth belt, sitting on a horse watching the herd. “That is the cattle master. He always rides near the end of any herd drive. We should see the end shortly.”
“If you say so, Brother Wilham.” Jake muttered.
The three stood there for another ten minutes until, finally, the last cows passed by, followed by several brightly painted wagons. As soon as the road cleared, the mass of stuck travelers began moving west. There was some cursing and shoving as they rode into another group of travelers heading east, the road clogged with horses and wagons. Jake saw a small group of soldiers ride up and restore order.
Once the crowds dissipated somewhat, they mounted their horses and continued their journey. Jake was relieved to be traveling again, his impatience fading as they rode.
“Once we reach Sulimn tonight, the road will become much less traveled.” Wilham told them. “Most of the towns and cities are east of Sulimn. When we leave there, there will be only small villages along our path until we reach Kersant.”
As the sun was drifting low in the western sky, Jake noticed a long, dark smudge that seemed to rise from the plains, spreading across the horizon. He asked Wilham about it.
“Those are the Crescent Hills.” He replied. “They are still far off, but we should reach their base before nightfall tomorrow.”
The sun has just set, with a beautiful palate of reds and oranges painting the sky, when they reached Sulimn. It was a small stone-walled town, set off to the north of the road, its main gate open. There were four guards lighting watch torches as they entered the town. The guards, dressed in leather armor and carrying long steel-tipped spears, as well as short clubs and daggers hanging from their belts, saluted Wilham, looking relieved to see him. They gazed curiously at Jake and Hailyn. Wilham nodded to the guards as they rode past. He led them to a large inn, set near a small courtyard in the center of the town. There was a large group of people milling about the courtyard.
As they dismounted, Jake noticed that the crowd in the street watching them, pointing and whispering. Several of the closest came up to Wilham, looking somewhat confused by Hailyn’s presence, but still speaking with him, their tone soft and urgent. Jake came over to stand with them.
“I heard about it as well.” A middle-aged woman in fine clothes was frantically saying. “There were tales of several bands of the crazed ones, some having demons with them, attacking the villages.”
“I saw one village, about a day’s ride north of here, with many homes burnt, its people scattered.” A fat man dressed in the worn clothes of a laborer interjected. “We did not stay to find out if the crazed ones were still around.”
“Crazed ones?” Jake whispered to Hailyn.
“The Beragan description for half-men.” She replied softly.
“Fear not, good people.” Wilham announced loudly. “Tonight, thanks to the One, you are safe.” He gestured towards Hailyn. “Sister Hailyn and I are here. We will stand against any attack of the crazed ones or their masters.”
“What about the outlying villages?” Someone in the crowd shouted.
“In the morning, I will go and investigate.” Wilham stated, looking around, unconsciously gripping his sword. “I will track down this band or bands of our enemies and put an end to them.”
Jake heard a collective sigh of relief from the crowd as they slowly began to disperse. Wilham motioned them to follow him into the inn.
The inn was a far cry from the other places that they had stayed in. While many had raucous halls, this one was half-full, the atmosphere subdued, a musician playing quietly in a corner. The patrons looked over at them as they entered, many looking relieved at the sight, then returned to their quiet conversations.
The innkeeper, a stout woman with gray in her hair and a spotless apron on, refused to take payment for their rooms. “At least I know that we are safe while you are under my roof.” She told Wilham.
After they were shown their rooms, they went to a small, private room off the main hall to plan. The room was plainly decorated with a fireplace in one wall and a small wooden table and four chairs in the center. As they sat down, the door opened and a couple of serving girls brought food and drinks to them. Once the girls departed, Wilham began.
&n
bsp; “If the stories are true, I must track down these bands.” Wilham stated. “It is the warrior clerics’ sworn mission to provide protection to the people from the depredations of the demons.”
“We don’t have the time to spend looking.” Jake said cautiously. “If the demons find out that we are looking for the information, then they will move it to where we can never reach it. We have to continue.”
Wilham frowned at that. “Before the One, I have sworn to defend the innocent. I have to know for sure before I can go any further.”
“And how long will that be?” Jake asked directly. “Days, weeks?” He met Wilham’s eyes. “We simply don’t have the time.” He repeated softly.
Wilham nodded reluctantly, unhappy. They sat in silence for a while, allowing him to contemplate their options. He ate little, sitting slumped in this chair, his mind focused on the decision before him. He finally roused himself.
“I must stay and determine if our enemies are here.” He said slowly. He glanced over at Hailyn, eyes appraising. “Sister, do you swear before the One that the Chief Cleric of Sanduas will share the information you find with us, as he said?” He asked seriously.
“I do, Brother.” Hailyn replied formally. She reached over and placed her hand over his. “We all serve the One. You must trust what your heart tells you.”
“Then, in the morning, you both will continue on to Kersant.” He said, relief and determination on his face. “I will follow as soon as I finish my investigation.” He took a drink from his cup. “You only have to follow the road. You will reach the Crescent Hills tomorrow. It will take two days to make passage over them. Kersant lies on the western edge of the Hills. If you have any difficulties, use the letters you were given.”
“Thank you, Brother.” Hailyn said gently. “I understand the trust you are placing in us. We will not disappoint you.”
“I do not doubt it.” Wilham said, rising. “We will speak again in the morning.” With that, he left the room.
“I didn’t think he would do that.” Jake stated, surprised by the turn of events.
“He knew you were right.” Hailyn responded. “We do not have the time to spend tracking down half-men, but he has to honor his oath.” She glanced over at Jake, an unreadable look in her eyes. “So, now we are on our own.”
“On our own.” Jake agreed, taking a long drink from his cup.
With the sun below the horizon, the town still covered in shadow, Jake and Hailyn rose and made ready to ride. In the empty main hall, they quickly ate the meal prepared for them, and then went to the stables to get their horses. As they left, the innkeeper gave them several meals, stuffed in pouches, as a gift. Jake and Hailyn found Wilham already in the stables, his horse saddled and ready to go. They quickly got their horses saddled and followed him to the town’s main gate. They started down the road, heading west.
“Stay on the road; it will take you to Kersant.” Wilham said, face serious in the pale light. “When you reach the city, you will find the Library near the center. You cannot miss it; it is the large stone building with a domed roof. Beyond it, the Temple is set upon a small hill, overlooking the city.” He leaned closer, voice dropping. “Remember, we have not heard from Kersant in weeks, so you may be riding into trouble. Be careful and cautious.”
“We will, Brother.” Hailyn replied. “You must be careful too.”
“I always am.” He said with a slight smile. “May the One grant you success.”
“And you.” Hailyn said.
With that, Wilham turned his horse north and rode off. Jake and Hailyn picked up the pace of their horses, settling into a moderate pace. Though the sun came out from behind the scattered clouds, the temperature stayed cool and pleasant for the rest of the day. The dark smudge of the Hills grew larger as they approached.
There was little traffic moving along the road. They saw the several wagons and an occasional rider, but for the most part, they rode alone. They passed by several small villages, earning curious looks from the residents, but no one stopped them.
The terrain began to change as they made their way west. The grass began to thin, with more trees dotting the landscape, and the gently rolling plains transitioned into more pronounced hills and hollows. The ground became rockier, with random rock formations rising from the ground like scattered statues.
As Wilham had said, they reached the hills near dusk. The hills appeared to be more like small mountains to Jake. He saw the road began a winding climb into the hills. He and Hailyn moved off the road into a small stand of trees, setting up camp, hidden from the view of any passersby. They ate a quick meal as night descended and Hailyn took the first watch as Jake rolled out his blankets and tried to sleep.
The next day seemed as if they were going to climb forever, the going slower than Jake would have liked. The road continued to rise into the hills, never seeming to descend in any appreciable way. They did not encounter anyone throughout the day, the noise of their passage seemingly the only sounds in the world, making Jake uneasy. It was if they were the only two people left on the planet. He began to worriedly look around, his mind imagining unseen threats, but there was nothing but the two of them. Finally, they neared the summit as the sun was setting. Hopefully, we will make better time going downhill. Jake thought.
However, the weather changed in the night. The clouds gathered, the temperature dropped and a gentle rain began to fall. Quickly covering up their supplies, Jake was grateful for the cloaks Kal had given them. They were indeed warm and the rain rolled off the waxy surface.
In spite of the nearly constant rain, they made it to the other side by the late afternoon of the next day. The rain let up just as they spied the plains beyond, though the clouds covered the sky. As they crested the last hill, Kersant became visible to them.
Kersant was a small city, nestled at the base of the hills, surrounded by a large stone wall that encircled the city. The road they were on ran up to the main gates, which were open. Jake could see the warren of streets and alleys that ran through the stone and wood buildings. The main street led to the center of the city. It passed through a wide stone courtyard before leading to a large building sitting on a small hill: the Temple. On the side of the courtyard was a tall stone building that towered over the nearby buildings. Jake could easily see the domed roof from this distance. That had to be the Library of Kersant.
As they rode out of the hills and approached the gate, Jake felt as if the leaden sky was bearing down on him, weighing down his spirit, oppressive in its smothering sameness. The gray clouds overhead washed out the faint sunlight. The colors of the world seemed to have faded; everything was now tainted with an ashen hue.
At the city gate, the two soldiers standing guard stopped them. The men were dressed in chainmail and pointed helms, armed with long pikes and swords on their belts. They looked wary, their eyes darting behind them, as they brought their pikes down and crossed them, barring their way.
“What business do you have here?” The soldier on the left asked brusquely. “We are cautious of outlanders.”
“We have come to seek out the Library.” Hailyn replied as she undid her cloak, revealing her clerics’ robe. “Are we not allowed in the city?”
“Forgive me, Sister.” The man said quickly. He looked behind him again. “Are you sure you wish to enter? It may be better if you return another time.” He said quietly.
“What is the problem?” She responded gently. “I only wish to speak with the librarian.”
Before he could speak, another soldier approached, an officer by his uniform. He came up, apprising Hailyn and Jake, eyes going wide at the sight of Hailyn’s robes, and turned to the soldiers.
“What is going on, soldier?” He demanded. “Why are you blocking their way?”
“Just asking their business.” The man replied, eyes scanning the city beyond.
“Let them pass, you fool.” The officer said, his voice sounding nervous. “We do not want to be known as inhospitable, do
we?”
“Of course not, sir.” The guard answered, his face suddenly turning pale. He quickly lifted his pike, the other soldier doing the same. “If you wish to enter, you may.”
“May the blessing of the One be on you.” Hailyn intoned, raising her hand. She turned to the officer. “Can you give us directions to a good inn in the city?”
“Simply follow this street, Sister.” The man replied. “The best inn is the Sleeping Lady. It is near the Library courtyard.”
“Thank you.” Hailyn said as she and Jake rode into the city.
Jake observed the groups of people standing near the front of many of the buildings, watching them pass. They would glance towards Jake and Hailyn, and then speak quietly together. Several hurriedly turned and left when they saw that Jake had noticed them.
He was suddenly uncomfortable, his senses telling him that something was not right here. He could almost feel the hidden sub-current of fear worming through the city. What is going on? He thought worriedly. He was certain that he would not like finding out the answer.
“Something is screwed up here.” He told Hailyn quietly. “Can’t you feel it?”
“Yes, Jake.” She said softly as she watched the people moving about. “We need to be cautious, but let’s see if we cannot find out what the runes mean now. We can always leave and sleep in the woods.”
They headed to the Library, its round dome clearly visible over the rest of the buildings, guiding them. They entered the wide paved courtyard that covered the area in front of the Library. As they passed the fountain in the center of the courtyard and stopped near the main doors of the Library, a teenager in white robes came running across the courtyard towards them. Jake noted that he came from the direction of the Temple.
“Sister, I am Niclos, an apprentice of the Temple.” He said as soon as he caught his breath. “Are you a healing cleric?”
The Jake Thomas Trilogy: Book 02 - Sword of Light Page 15
