The Eternal Darkness (29 page)

Jake looked over at Dominic when Celric said this, recalling his training.  Dominic simply gave him a look as if to say, “I told you.”

As they ate, with Decan sitting happily on Teci’s lap, Celric told Jonas, “I have heard tales of others that could do what you did, Jonas.  The Dark Ones hunt all that can use this power.  Somehow, they are able to detect it in people.  To stamp it out, clans are required to turn over any who show signs of this ability.  I know that a few escaped, heading into the hills and disappearing.”

After dinner, Jake and Hailyn joined Teci in the main room, watching as Boci and Decan played while Dominic, Jonas and Celric spoke at the table.  Sitting next to Hailyn on a short couch, Jake felt eyes on him and saw Redric leaning against the wall, the cloth still pressed against his neck, staring at him.  When Jake met his eyes, he saw Redric smile smugly, a challenge clear on his face.  Jake scowled at that, tensing.

“Jake,” Hailyn said softly, squeezing his hand.  “Ignore him and pay attention to me.”  Jake nodded, embarrassed by his reaction.

Suddenly, the front door flew open and one to the young men that had accompanied Redric came in.  “Forgive me, Celric, but there is a group approaching along the road,” he said quickly.  “It is a patrol of the Dark Ones accompanied by warriors.”

C
HAPTER
S
IXTEEN

“How long before they get here?” Celric asked as he rose.

“Only a few minutes,” the young man said.

“What will you do?” Jonas asked.  “We cannot allow word of our arrival to reach the demons.”

“You are guests, as I have named you,” Celric said grimly as he went to retrieve his spear.  “I will do what I must to protect you.”

“Allow us to help you,” Dominic said, slipping around the end of the table.  “We have experience fighting demons and the clerics can counter the demons’ power.  We have no wish to endanger you or your village.”

Celric hesitated.  “What do you suggest?”

“Since Redric and his group wish to fight, send them behind the rises on either side of the road,” Dominic told him.  “Jonas and I will take a side and Jake and Hailyn will take the other, staying out of sight, in case they want to search the village.  You can meet the patrol as you normally would.  Perhaps you can send them on their way without fighting, but we would be ready to counter them if it comes to it.”

Celric nodded.  “It is as good a plan as any.”  He turned to Redric.  “Gather the boys and do as Dominic said.  You will wait for my signal before you take any action.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, Uncle,” Redric said.  Motioning to the other young man, he hurried out the door.

“Let’s go,” Dominic said.  Jonas followed him out the door with Jake and Hailyn close behind.

“Jake, you and Hailyn go over there and stay out of sight,” Dominic said as he pointed to the southern rises.  “Act only if Jonas or I do.”

Jake nodded and took Hailyn’s hand.  They raced past the village buildings and behind the rise near the road.  They crawled up to the edge, looking out over the road through the low bushes.  Ten of the village’s young men crawled up to join them, spears ready.

The night seemed darker and more oppressive as they waited in silence.  In that quiet, they heard the approach of horses along the road.  Out of the darkness, two columns of riders rode in formation with their spears angled up.  Before he saw them, Jake felt the chill of the demons’ presence.  He then spotted two of the red male demons running between the horses.

On a sudden impulse, Jake reached out with this mind, touching those points of life energy of the men riding the horses.  They all felt normal.  Then, curious, he shifted his awareness to the demons, praying that they could not detect it.  To his surprise, he found similar points of energy.  However, the energy that emanated from the demons was wholly different.  When he touched those points, it was like a wild immense flame, burning and savage.  Startled, he withdrew his awareness, watching for any signs that the demons had felt him.

The columns slowed, and then stopped, as they entered the village.  The demons walked forward, approaching Celric, who was standing alone in the courtyard, spear in hand.  When they stopped, he bowed.

“How may I serve you?” he asked deferentially.

“Where are they?” one of the demons demanded, its cold voice carrying across the courtyard.  The other demon was looking around the area, searching for something.

“They?  Who are they?” Celric asked.

“Do not play games with us, mortal,” the demon said sharply, stepping closer to Celric.  “We have encountered the scent of an artifact that belongs to us.  We know it came through this village.  If you do not answer me, I will kill every last human here.”

Jake held his breath. 
They can feel the sword.

Before Celric could respond, Jonas stepped out from behind the building at the edge of the village, his shining form casting away the night.  “I am here, demon,” he stated defiantly.  “Try your threats against someone who does not fear your dark power.”

The demons spun towards Jonas, their dark magic surrounding their bodies, darker than the night. They launched their power against Jonas, who deflected the attack with a brilliant lance of his own might.  The collision of those powers shattered the night.

The demons’ soldiers began to move forward, spears lowering, when Dominic charged out of the night, sword in hand.  He quickly killed two men before the rest could react.  He batted away spear thrusts as he created havoc in their formation.

With a loud battle cry, Redric and his companions charged down at the soldiers, spears flashing.  Within seconds, the road descended into chaos as the soldiers were caught between two attacking forces.  The screams of men and horses rose as a counterpoint to the loud claps of exploding magic.

Jake rose up, embraced his power and sent a vivid blast of cobalt fire into the nearest demon.  The demon, focused on Jonas, was unprepared for the attack and exploded into ash.  The other demon, rocked by the explosion, was regaining its balance when Jonas, Hailyn and Jake struck it simultaneously.  Unable to withstand such force, it collapsed noisily into ash.

Jake quickly slid the Guardian’s sword off his back and handed it to Hailyn.  He drew his sword and ran down into the battle.  Directly ahead, he saw Celric moving with the grace of a deadly dancer as he moved amongst his foes, his spear striking quickly and accurately.  When an enemy soldier, on foot and with a sword in hand, came up behind Celric, Jake charged him.  The man was too late in recognizing the threat, spinning at the last second only to take Jake’s sword into his midsection.  Jake jerked his sword free and slashed again, slicing across the man’s abdomen.  The man fell to his knees, and then collapsed.

As Jake brought his sword back up, he saw that the fight was almost over.  The enemy formation was gone, with dead men lying on the ground and horses wandering about.  While Redric and his companions were finishing off their opponents, the one remaining soldier still mounted turned his horse and started to race away.  Jake saw Celric heft his spear, take a few steps and hurl it at the fleeing man.  When the spear struck the man, he gave a short scream and tumbled from his saddle.

With that, the battle was done.  Jonas and Hailyn moved quickly to heal Celric’s wounded.  Dominic came out of the fight with a slight limp, blood visible on his leg.  Jonas went over to him, but Dominic attempted to wave him away.

“No, Dom,” Jonas said firmly.  “We still have challenges ahead that will require us to be at our full strength.  If your wounds slow you down, that may mean the ruin of us all.  You will accept my healing.”

Dominic looked irritated at that, but after staring at Jonas’ determined face, he finally nodded.  Jonas reached out and took his hand, quickly healing his wounds.

Once that was done, Dominic went over to Celric.  “What will you do now?” he said as he pointed at the dead men.

“We will collect the weapons and horses and bury the men,” Celric stated as he surveyed the carnage.  “The patrols are infrequent, so all traces will be gone before another patrol appears.  If one comes, we will simply tell them that the other patrol rode through after questioning us.”

“You could join us,” Dominic suggested quietly.  “You could lead us to the demons’ fortress.  We will need someone who understands this land.”

Jake saw Redric look as his uncle, with an anticipatory gleam in his eyes, but Celric shook his head.  “I cannot, Dominic,” he said with regret.  “I have an obligation to protect my clan.  If I joined you and marched openly against the Dark Ones and you fail, then they will find and kill every last member of the Gabo clan.  I cannot risk my people.”

“But, Uncle-” Redric protested, but was cut off by a sharp gesture from Celric.

“Do I need to teach you another lesson on who runs this clan?” Celric asked softly.

“No, Uncle,” Redric stated sullenly.  Celric stared at him for a few more moments, and then turned back to Dominic.

“I understand, Celric,” Dominic said.  “You have done more than enough.  If you will give us directions, then we can be gone in case any more patrols come.”

“I will do you one better, Dominic of Sanduas, I will draw you a map,” Celric stated.  He stared at the horses.  “Since you cannot travel openly, the main roads are out of the question.  To save you time, I give you four of the horses.  Since he is so eager to do something, I will also send Redric to lead you safely into the hills.  There are several trails that run the length of the hills.  The journey will be slower, but safer, since few actually travel the hills.”

“Once you are in the hills, you will head east, towards the mountain,” he continued.  “The Dark Ones fortress lies on the other side of the mountain.  I cannot help you more for I have only gone to that cursed place once.”

  “We appreciate all that you have done,” Jonas said warmly.  “With the One’s help, we may yet emerge victorious.  If that happens, may we meet again as friends.”

“I would gladly embrace you as friend, Jonas of Sanduas,” Celric said.  “I will not forget the gift you have given us with Decan.”

“It was a gift from the One, the Creator of all things,” Jonas said.  “Even if we do not meet again in this life, remember that.”

They gathered their gear while Celric drew a detailed map of the trails in the hills.  The villagers provided them with extra water and rations.  Once they had packed their supplies, they climbed into the saddles of the captured horses.  The horses were skittish as first, but calmed after they got used to the new individuals on their backs.

Celric came over with his map and gave it to Dominic.  “May luck go with you, Dominic of Sanduas,” he said as he shook his hand.  “I fear that you will need all of the luck you can muster.  Even that may not be enough against the power of the Dark Ones.”

“That may be true, but I am unconcerned, Celric, Clan Chief of the Gabo clan,” Dominic said simply, shrugging.  “We know that death comes for us all, at a time of her choosing.  We can only fight with all of our strength and skill and pray that she has other things to do.”

Celric chuckled.  “I understand that sentiment well,” he said.  “Still, luck be with you.”

“And with you,” Dominic replied.

Redric joined them.  “Follow me,” he said, gesturing towards the hills.

With a final farewell to Celric, the small party left the village, going behind some of the buildings to find a small dirt path.  They rode in silence, trusting in the horses to find their footing in the darkness as they slowly climbed into the hills.

Redric was familiar with the terrain, even in the dark, and kept them on sure paths.  They rode through the night, only stopping briefly to rest the horses.  As the sun rose, lighting the land, they were deep in the hills.  The ground was a reddish brown, sparsely covered with short green grass and bushes.  There were stands of tall, but thin, trees, with large canopies of bright green leaves that swayed in the light cool wind.

“I must leave you now,” Redric stated morosely.  “My uncle said I was to lead you until morning, and then return to the village.”  He looked over at Dominic, a sudden intensity in his eyes.  “I could join you.  I can fight and I wish to be free of the Dark Ones’ control.”

“I admire your courage, but you must obey your uncle and return,” Dominic told him.  “If we are successful, that wish may yet become true.  You will know soon enough.”

Redric nodded, sullen again.  Without another word, he turned his horse and rode away.

Dominic pulled out the map that Celric gave him.  He studied the terrain and compared it to what was drawn.  “It appears that this trail leads east, but there will be an intersection of several trails,” he told them.  “Once we reach that, we are to take the second trail on our right.  That will lead to another intersection of trails.  There we will find a path that will take us around the mountain and to the fortress.”

“How long?” Jonas asked.

“It is unclear, but looking at the distance to the mountain, I would say that it will take several days, at least.”

“Let’s ride until late afternoon and find a place to camp,” Jonas said.  “We could all use some rest after yesterday, but I would like to travel as far as possible.”

Dominic nodded and took the lead.  As they made their way down the trail, climbing and winding through the hills, the sky overhead was still cloudy, but the clouds were lighter and more sunlight reached the ground, warming the air.  They kept watch, with Dominic in the front and Jake acting as rear guard, but did not see another person all day.  They reached the first intersection of trails as the sun was sinking low into the horizon.

They turned onto the trail they needed and rode for another hour to get some distance from the intersection.  Jake was feeling groggy, struggling to keep his eyes open, by the time they found a stand of trees surrounded by bushes that would give them some shelter, as well as cover from anyone passing by.  They made camp and ate a cold meal, forgoing a fire.  Dominic set up a watch schedule and Jake drew last watch.  He gladly crawled into his blankets on the ground and quickly fell asleep.