The Eternal Darkness (11 page)

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.

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.

As Tomaris sat quietly, taking in what he heard, Taric looked over to Halana, who nodded.  The cleric spoke again.  “I have to ask you something,” he said quietly.  “As we approached the Keep, we felt the same energy that we felt when we approached the building in Parshalthia.  It was faint along the road, growing stronger as we drew closer.  Your study and this room are filled with it.  How are we feeling that energy here?”

Tomaris thought on it for a while, contemplating his response.  Finally, he said, “What I tell you now must remain amongst us.  If word leaks out, it will be the ruin of many.”

When they had all nodded, he told them of the finding of the sword and Jake’s quest.  “We must allow the enemy to believe that the sword is here.  Because of that, I fear that they will come against the Keep.”

He faced Sharin.  “If you wish to leave and will swear an oath to remain silent, child, I will allow it.  I will provide an escort to take you back to Aletonia.”

“I will not leave Moshanna again,” she said directly.  “Whatever is his fate will be mine as well.”

“You are as brave as him,” Tomaris said approvingly.  He looked over at the clerics.  “Are you willing to stay and support me?”

“We have the same enemies, Tomaris,” Halana stated.  “I will not leave you to fight them alone.”

“Nor I,” Taric added.

“Then I will have rooms set up for you within the Keep,” Tomaris said, relief in his voice.  He looked at Moshanna and gestured towards Sharin.  “I will have a suite set aside for Sharin, if you wish.  Surely you do not expect her to sleep in the barracks.”

“We have discussed this, Tomaris,” Moshanna said, reaching out to take Sharin’s hand.  “We have spent long years apart and have no wish to waste another day.  You are my sworn lord and master of the Keep. We ask that you marry us.”

“It would be my great honor to do so, my son,” Tomaris said.  “Who would be your witnesses?”

“Taric and Halana, if they would do us the honor.”  He looked over to the clerics.

“With joy, Moshanna,” Taric replied.  He glanced over at Halana, who gave him a broad smile.  “I may ask that you return the favor someday.”

“You make my heart glad, children,” Tomaris said lightly.  “Love is the great light of the world, something that darkness can never overcome.”

He gestured for them to stand.  “Let us begin.”

…

As the sun rose, its light making the dew on the ground sparkle like diamonds, Jake checked the straps on the sword again, making sure that it was secure against the saddle.  He glanced over at Hailyn.  She was sitting on her horse in the middle of the small stand of trees that they had chosen as a campsite, patiently waiting for him to finish.  He could see that she was somewhat anxious, since they should reach her home sometime in the afternoon.

They were ten days out from the Keep.  They had left the road while in the foothills below the Keep, but paralleled it as they had gone westward.  With the Blue River cutting across their path, they were forced to return to the road to cross at the large stone bridge west of the crossroads.  While he was nervous that they would run into a cleric, they had no choice.  It was too deep and fast to ford across.  To follow it south meant riding into Sanduas, which was out of the question.  To go north meant many extra days in the saddle, as they would have to enter Beragan and circle around the large lake that the river fed.

To his relief, they had made it across without any issue, and then left the road again.  They had taken a southwesterly direction, skirting around the north end of the hills that rose west of Sanduas.  They generally avoided the villages that they came across, though Hailyn would go into some as their supplies ran low while Jake waited for her in the surrounding countryside.

Their routine on this journey was different than when they had traveled together when looking for the sword.  On the first night, as they made camp, Hailyn had suggested that they should maintain a watch.  With the sword and the gold in their possession, they needed to be cautious.  Even though he missed sharing the blankets and holding her close, Jake knew that she was right.  They could not risk being caught unawares by any threat, demon or otherwise.

The weather had improved as they had journeyed south.  They were caught in a cold rainstorm on the second night, soaking everything, but that was the only truly bad weather they encountered.  The rest of the time was partly cloudy skies and gradually warming temperatures.  Now that they were nearing the coast, the weather was a bit cooler, with more humidity in the air.

“I’m ready,” Jake said as he swung into his saddle.  He rode next to her and took her hand, kissing the back of it.  She smiled brightly at that.  “You know the way.  Lead on.”

With Hailyn choosing their path, they rode into the low hills that rose ahead of them.  The ground of the hills were covered with a mixture of green and brown grasses, with smaller, leafy trees and tall pines growing randomly here and there.  As they climbed into the hills, Jake caught the hint of salt air in the breeze that swirled the grass and rustled the trees.

They made good time through the hills, reaching the far side by early afternoon.  As they rode up the last set of ridges, Jake saw that the land beyond leveled out and sloped away from the hills.  The land was covered in short green grass, with stands of tall pines rising into the sky.  He saw scattered farms and homesteads, and in the distance, a large town near the shoreline of the blue-gray water of the Inland Sea.

“My home is outside of the town,” Hailyn said, pointing north of the buildings.  “My mother should be there at this time of the day.”  She gave Jake a brave smile and started forward.

After another hour of riding, taking a weaving path to avoid farms and other houses, they approached a neatly kept home.  It was a two-story structure, made of thick logs and roofed with gray tiles.  A rough-cut wooden split-rail fence surrounded its yard and the small barn in the back.  Tall trees provided shade on most of the house.  As they stopped and dismounted, Jake saw at least one cat and a couple of dogs sleeping on the porch.

“We can take the horses to the barn after we meet Mother,” Hailyn said, tying off her reins on the fence.

Jake followed suit, and then untied the sword from his saddle and slung it across his back.  Once it was secure, he followed Hailyn as she led him through the gate in the fence and along a brick path to the porch.  As they approached, the dogs sat up and barked, and then ran down to greet Hailyn.  Jake watched with an amused smile as the medium-sized dogs ran and jumped around her.  She knelt down and embraced the dogs, which enthusiastically licked at her face, their tails wagging happily.