“I am.” Hailyn replied.
“Thanks to the One.” He said quickly. “Can you come to the Temple now? We have injured people, but our last healing cleric left some time ago.”
Hailyn glanced at Jake, who shook his head no. “I have to go, Jake.” She said softly. “I cannot let others suffer when I can help, especially in the Temple.”
“Then I will go with you.” Jake replied.
“No.” Hailyn said. “Find out what we came here for, then join me.”
“I will come back for him, if you wish, Sister.” Niclos said hurriedly, looking back towards the Temple. “Please, can we go?”
“We will go, Niclos.” Hailyn said, leaning down and placing a calming hand on his shoulder. She looked over to Jake. “We have to take some risks.”
“I don’t like it, but if we are going to do it, let’s do it.” He stated. “I will be there as soon as I can.”
“I will wait for you at the Temple.” She replied. She turned to Niclos. “Lead on, Niclos.”
Jake watched as Hailyn rode off, following Niclos, who took off back towards the Temple at a run. Shaking his head, he slid off Dontas and tied off the reins at a hitching post near the doors. He glanced around, the mostly empty courtyard filling him with misgiving. Get on with it. He growled to himself.
He climbed the stairs that led to the main entrance, two large wooden doors that were open. He passed by the stone columns that bracketed the doors and entered the Library, his footsteps echoing softly in the stone entryway. He paused and looked around. There were small rooms off to the sides, with the main library directly ahead though a large archway. The hallway and rooms were lit with a multitude of candles, grouped together in large iron candleholders. There were at least forty or fifty candles in each holder. Glancing up, Jake saw that the stone ceiling, at least fifty feet high, was decorated with bright colored stones, arranged in complex mosaics.
He took a deep breath and went into the main library. The room was huge, its round walls made of polished stone, with the domed roof towering over the center. There were rows of wooden shelves radiating from the center, like spokes on a wheel, filled with scrolls and books. Jake noticed the slightly dusty smell in the room, faint but ever-present. As he made his way to the center of the room, he saw a few people standing around the room. They seemed startled by his presence and quickly moved off.
In the center of the room, there was an open space with tables and chairs spread about, with candles nearby, lighting the area. He spotted a man in a dark robe moving about the shelves, returning scrolls. The man was tall and thin, with a long face topped with unkempt dark hair. Jake approached him, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. The man jumped and spun around, startled.
“Sorry.” Jake said quickly, seeing the fear in the man’s brown eyes. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I wanted to know if you can help me.”
The man gained control of himself, studying Jake in his armor, though he glanced nervously around the room before he spoke. “What assistance do you need?” The man asked.
Jake pulled out the parchment with the runes. “I am trying to find the key that will interpret what these runes mean.”
Taking the parchment from Jake, the man looked closely at the runes. After studying them for some time, he handed the paper back to Jake. “Follow me.”
The man led Jake over to a table near the rows of shelves. “Sit and wait here.” The man said officially. “I will find you the scrolls you need.” The man went down one of the rows.
Jake sat down, looking around the library. He felt a sudden twinge of fear when he realized that he was the only person in the room. He tried to stay calm, refusing to let his imagination get the best of him. Shortly, the man returned, carrying several scrolls.
“The runes appear to be from the High Language period.” The man said as he set the scrolls down next to Jake. “These scrolls are the common translations from that period. They should be able to assist you.”
“Thanks.” Jake said as he reached for the nearest scroll.
“I have my duties to attend to, so I will leave you to your research.” The man said as he turned to leave. “You may leave them on the table when you are finished.”
Jake nodded as the man walked back into the rows of shelves. He pulled one of the candleholders close to give him more light, then pulled out the parchment, laying it next to the scroll, and began to look for answers.
…
The Temple reared above Hailyn as she slowly dismounted. The structure was large, with several smaller buildings attached to the main sanctuary. The grounds, filled with trees, bushes and other plants, were not well maintained. That was somewhat troubling to her, but she tried not to judge them too harshly until she had a chance to speak with another cleric.
Noticing that there were few apprentices around the grounds, Hailyn questioned Niclos, who was waiting nervously nearby. “Where are the clerics, Niclos?”
“Many have left, Sister.” He said, glancing around. “The few that remain are in the sanctuary with the wounded and sick.”
“Why did they leave?”
“I should let a cleric tell you.” He replied as he pushed open the doors on one of the outbuildings. “Please follow me.”
Despite her misgivings, she followed him into the Temple. He took her down a long hallway that ended near a large opening on the right that led into the main sanctuary. “In here, Sister.” He said as he went down the short steps.
She followed him down, looking cautiously around the main sanctuary as they walked down the center aisle. The tall stone walls were dimly lit, the wooden benches slightly askew, an unusual odor in the air. She faced forward and saw the there were people covered with blankets lying on the benches close to the altar. She noticed a tall figure in clerics robes bending over one of the injured, apparently ministering to them.
She was walking towards the cleric, prepared to assist, when she stopped suddenly, Niclos halting with her. It had not registered when she first glanced at it, but something was wrong with the altar. When she looked at it again, she saw the eternal flame was out. No cleric would allow that to happen! Shocked, she instinctively called up her power, her shining form chasing away the shadows, and whipped her head around to look at Niclos.
“Forgive me, Sister!” He cried out. “I had no choice!” Spinning on his heel, he turned and ran out of the sanctuary. She was taken aback, but before she could react, the cleric near the altar spoke.
“Do not hold it against him. He truly did not have a choice.” An alien voice, mocking in tone, came from the darkened hood as the figure straightened. Human hands that ended in claws reached up and pushed the hood back. Hailyn saw what looked like an attractive woman’s face, complete with wavy black hair, except this woman had pitch black eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. “Have you come to die like all of the others, little cleric?” The demon taunted, its form suddenly surrounded with dark power.
Hailyn heard movement all around her. She spun slowly around to see Imps appear in the doorways, cutting off any avenues of escape.
…
Jake ground his teeth in frustration as he felt like he was getting nowhere with the scrolls. He pushed them back angrily, unable to figure out the runes. Maybe if the librarian came back, he could get some help. He rubbed at his temples, trying to calm down and chase off the uncomfortable feeling that had taken hold of his body.
Caught up in his emotions, it took a moment for him to realize the sensation he was feeling. He sprang to his feet, spinning around. Across the room from him was an Imp with four men next to it.
“Study time is over for you, boy.” The Imp sneered. “Kill him!” The demon ordered its men.
Jake called up his magic as the men drew their swords and charged at him. He sent a wave of blue fire racing across the room as he moved away from the table, sweeping over the men and the Imp. To his shock, while two of the men exploded into ash and the Imp was knocked back, its form sm
oking, the other two men ran through his magic unharmed.
Shit! He cursed to himself as he drew his own sword. His sword was barely out of its sheath when the two men closed with him. He desperately parried the low thrust on his right while throwing up his armored forearm to block the high attack on his left. Jake cried out as he felt a ribbon of fire across his left cheek as the man’s sword grazed his face. At the same time, his sword, sliding along his opponent’s blade, drove into the other man’s thigh and was wrenched out of his hand as the man fell, screaming.
Jake threw himself away from the other man, narrowly dodging a blow, rolling to his feet and drawing his dagger. Before he could get set, he was struck by a blast from the Imp, knocking him off balance. Fighting to regain his equilibrium, he launched a blazing azure bolt of power at the Imp, blasting it back into the shelves, which collapsed on top of it in a deafening clatter of collapsing wood. He was forced to dive away again as the man closed with him, sword slashing. He bit back a cry of pain as the man’s sword scored along his thigh as he passed.
Jake hobbled back to his feet, as the man attacked again. If you only have a dagger when facing a man with a sword, close and get inside his guard. Dominic’s instruction sounded in his mind. Despite his injured leg, he leapt into the man’s attack. He felt the man’s sword glance off his breastplate, sliding along his side and cutting into the inside of his left arm. Once he was past the swordhilt, Jake desperately wrapped his left arm around the man’s right, pinning his sword arm. The man left hand came up, smashing into Jake’s face and then pushing his head back, trying to dislodged him. Jake brought his dagger up, slamming it into the man’s unprotected armpit. The man roared in pain, then bright blood frothed from his mouth. Jake yanked his dagger out and struck again. The man shuddered, his strength suddenly gone, and collapsed.
Jake staggered back, looking for more opponents. He looked at the other man, who was lying still on the ground, Jake’s sword next to him in a pool of blood. Suddenly, with a loud crash, the Imp threw off the shelves covering it and stood. Jake did not give it a chance to attack. He focused a blast of power that tore through the Imp, reducing it to ashes before it could even cry out.
Jake limped over to where his sword was and picked it up. He saw that the man was dead, his eyes fixed and staring. Must have hit the femoral artery. He was moving towards the pile of ash-covered clothes of the half-men, planning to wipe the blood off his sword, when he detected movement behind him.
He spun, bringing his sword up. The librarian was looking at the destruction with a shocked expression on his face. He saw the anger on Jake’s face and fell to his knees. “Please forgive me, young master!”
“You set me up!” Jake shouted, his anger growing. He moved closer, bringing his sword up. “Why should I not believe that you are with them?”
“They would have killed my family if I did not send a message.” The man pleaded, his face pale, holding his hands up. “I was told to alert them of any strangers who came to the Library.”
“What the hell are demons doing here?!” Jake snapped.
“They arrived with their followers nearly two months ago.” The man said, looking at the ground. “They killed off the clerics and any who stood against them. We were told that any caught trying to flee would be killed, along with their families. We have been trapped since then.”
“Where are they?” Jake asked, lowering his sword but watching the room for movement.
“The demons have taken over the Temple.” The man said.
Jake felt himself go cold. He spun around and ran as fast as his injured leg would allow. He exited the Library, stopping at the top of the stairs and looked towards the Temple. In the low light, he saw brilliant flashes of light exploding through the Temple windows.
“Hailyn!!!” He shouted as he frantically ran to Dontas.
Chapter Thirteen
Trying to dodge the streaks of dark fire that flew from the demons, Hailyn pulled in as much power as she could. Her form blazed with intense light, as she tried to defend against the demons that attacked her from all sides. She was buffeted by the black power she could not avoid, the sanctuary reverberating with the sounds clashing magics, as she tried to deflect the demons’ fire raining down on her. She threw herself to the side, using the benches as cover, and sent a blast of power radiating out in all directions. She heard the sounds of the Imps being knocked back, but the female demon surged forward, passing through her power, its body encased protectively in ebon fire.
“She’s mine!” The female demon cried and the attacks ceased from the Imps. It sneered at Hailyn. “You are strong, little cleric, but that strength will not help you in the end.” The demon punctuated its sentence by leveling a massive bolt of power at Hailyn.
She blocked the attack, though it rocked her back on her heels. She had a momentary twinge of fear; this demon was the most powerful she had ever faced. She shook off her concern, trying to wrap herself in calm, and then concentrated her might, sending a blaze of clerics’ fire streaking at the demon. The demon was staggered slightly, its form sizzling from the collision of power.
The demon screamed, that almost-human face twisted in hate, attacking again. Hailyn shifted, sliding to her right, trying to avoid a direct blast while counterattacking. The colliding magics, yellow challenging the black, stunned the very air of the Temple, the noise from opposing powers deafening. The rapid concussions reverberated over and over in the stone hall, magnifying into an overwhelming sound. They battled for several minutes, with neither able to gain an advantage.
The demon paused momentarily in its attack, changing positions and moving quickly, trying to get a clear angle on Hailyn. She responded, sliding along the benches to match the demon. In the sudden quiet, a new voice sounded.
“Are you having trouble, sister?” A mocking voice said. Hailyn looked near the altar, her heart sinking, seeing another female demon enter, almost identical to the one she faced, except this one had a silvery mane of hair. “Can’t you deal with one small cleric?”
“I will finish her quickly enough, sister!” The demon spat, glaring over at the other one. “Afterwards, I may teach you a lesson in humility as well.”
The new demon jeered at that, the chilling sound echoing off the walls. “You will regret the day you try.”
Screaming in anger, the demon attacked again, swinging its fists towards Hailyn, dark fire striking out. Hailyn deflected the attack and countered. Her attack knocked the demon back and she followed with another quick strike. The demon screamed in rage and pain as a trickle of Hailyn’s power was able to penetrate its magical protection. It moved again, its form smoking, and slashed with its claws at the bench next to it. The bench shattered into large, jagged pieces. The demon snatched a piece up and flung it at Hailyn. She was forced to duck, avoiding the wood as it flew past.
The demon continued to hurl pieces at her, smashing benches as it moved closer, keeping Hailyn off-balance and moving. Hailyn could not launch an attack, doing everything she could to keep from being struck. Despite her efforts, she was almost too late, diving away at the last moment, as a large chuck of wood whistled past her head, close enough that an edge of it tugged at her hair.
As she dove, the demon charged, closing with her. Before Hailyn could react, its power-shrouded clawed hand came down, the demon driving past the conflicting magics, and grabbed her by her right wrist, yanking her up. Hailyn bit back a cry as the demon’s power burned her.
As quickly as the demon’s hand closed, it sprang open. The demon let out a scream of agony, releasing Hailyn and leaping back, its hand blistering and smoking. Hailyn, settling her feet under her, felt a sudden rush of power and a fiery heat on her wrist, different from the demon’s touch. The heat was present, but did not harm her; in fact, it soothed away the burns. She looked at her wrist in amazement. The runes on the bracelet were blazing with white light.
“The Guardian!” The demon shrieked, clutching its ruined hand.
Hailyn did not hesitate, attacking, her magic seeking the demon. She felt the power surge through her, her yellow fire streaked with brilliant white. Her might smashed into the demon, tearing past its protective force, and consumed it. It gave a final scream, exploding into ash.
“Kill her!” The other demon shouted, attacking Hailyn. The Imps responded, dark fire coming at her from all sides. She attempted to balance her power for defense while still trying to launch attacks on the female demon.
Hailyn was buffeted by the onslaught, the impacts rocking her back and forth. The female demon was moving, but the constant attacks caused Hailyn to react awkwardly, in spite of desperately trying to keep the demon in front of her. Off balance, her reaction was too slow when the demon unexpectedly picked up a piece of the broken benches and threw it at her.
The wood slammed into her chest, stunning her, and drove her back into a bench, the impact knocking her breath away. She fell forward onto the stone floor, landing on her hands and knees, her mind numb and her body unresponsive. She glanced up and saw the demon sprinting towards her. She tried to gather her power as the demon leapt into the air, claws extended to tear her apart, but knew she was already too late.
Out of nowhere, a powerful bolt of blue fire streaked past her and stuck the demon, hurling it back. Scrambling to her feet, she glanced behind her to see Jake standing at the sanctuary entrance, shining like a cobalt star, the ash from the Imps that had been guarding the door settling at his feet. He had his sword in his hand, but Hailyn saw that he was covered in blood, a nasty cut visible on his cheek. The Imps began to attack him, forcing him to respond.
She turned back to the female demon, which was rising from the floor. Hailyn attacked, the steak of yellow-white fire flaring like a piece of the sun, and her might staggered the demon, its body steaming and skin cracking. She attacked a final time, her magic overwhelming the demon’s defenses, and it exploded into ash.
The Jake Thomas Trilogy: Book 02 - Sword of Light Page 16
