A World Apart (12 page)

Dominic spurred Shadow into a gentle trot, guiding him through the people and wagons, as they headed up the street towards the palace.  Jake noticed alleys behind and between the rows of buildings as they traveled.  After several rows of these buildings, they gave way to single-story buildings, made of either stone or wood, intersected by smaller roads that branched out from the main street.  These appeared to be individual homes and businesses, many with lawns and trees surrounded by short wooden fences.  Jake could see people sitting on porches, glancing at Shadow as he passed.

They soon reached to courtyard that surrounded the palace.  The courtyard was paved, with large parks of grass and trees spaced out at regular intervals.  There were large torches lining the paths through the courtyard being lit by several groups of men.  Jake realized that those acted as streetlights.  Even larger torches lined the street they were on as it ran up to the gates of the palace.

The Royal Palace, like the city proper, was surrounded by a tall wall, though this one was only about twenty feet tall.  Like the main walls, the palace walls were painted white.  In the middle of the wall they were facing, an arched gateway stood.  The gates were made of metal, polished to a mirror-like shine, and inlaid with golden carvings.  The gate was open and Jake could see four guardsmen standing inside the gate.

The palace proper was set back about a hundred yards from the walls.  Jake guessed that its roof was around sixty feet above the ground.  There were five towers rising from the roof, one on each corner and one rising in the center.  The ones on the corners rose at least forty feet higher than the roof, with the center tower rising above the others by twenty feet or so.  The entire structure was painted white, with what looked like reddish tiles on the roof.  Jake observed that the building was pocketed with tall windows.

Dominic turned Shadow down one of the courtyard paths, heading north.  They rode past and through several parks, the palace looming off to their right.  They came to another road that led to the palace and turned left again.  Jake saw a collection of buildings directly ahead, some with a single story and some a couple of stories tall.  These buildings surrounded a single large rectangular building, made from pale stone blocks, that was four stories tall.  Two sets of brightly colored stained-glass windows were spaced out at regular intervals along the building's wall, one set near the ground and another above it near the roof.  A large, artistically-carved set of double wooden doors stood above a short stone staircase in the side of the building.  A well-maintained path led from the street to the doors.  There was an open area with trees surrounding the sets of buildings.  Jake asked Dominic what it was.

"It's the Temple of the One."  Dominic replied.  "That is our destination."

They rode Shadow up to a small fence that separated the open area from some of the smaller buildings.  Dominic dismounted and loosely tied off the reins.  Jake slid off, wincing at the discomfort from straddling a horse all day.  He hung on to the saddle for a moment to make sure his legs would hold him, then slowly walked over to Dominic.  His legs and groin protested the movement and Jake hoped he would not have to ride again anytime soon.

"Not used to riding, I guess, boy."  Dominic said with a slight smile, the first one Jake had seen on that scarred face.  "The only way to overcome it is to keep riding.  Maybe I will take you out to see the mountains tomorrow."  Jake groaned at that and Dominic's smile deepened for a second.

"Let's go inside."  Dominic said, smile fading into his normal expressionless appearance.  "You will find food, rest and maybe some answers."

Dominic led Jake around to a single-story building that was attached to one side of the tall building.  A set of wooden doors stood above a couple of stone steps.  As they approached, the doors opened and two figures walked out into the evening.

Both figures were wearing light brown robes with a large cowls hanging off their shoulders and down their backs, a two-inch brown leather belt around their waists, and brown leather boots.  Jake could see that they were both young men, maybe in their twenties, talking quietly as they came towards Dominic and Jake.  One was dark-haired and the other light-haired, both with their hair cut very short, maybe only a half-inch long.

"Who are they?"  Jake asked quietly.

"They are clerics, servants of the One."  Dominic replied.  "They are healers and teachers."

The men noticed Dominic for the first time, suddenly smiling and raising a hand in greeting.  "Welcome and good evening, Dominic.  Praise to the One that you are back, safe and in one piece."  The dark-haired one said.  "I know that Brother Jonas will be pleased to hear of your return."

"Good evening, Losan."  Dominic replied, nodding his head.  "Where can I find Jonas?"

"He was tending to some of the sick when I last saw him."  Losan replied.  "If you go inside, one of the apprentices can find him for you."

"My thanks, Brother."  Dominic said, moving towards the doors.  Jake followed and could feel the curious gazes of the two men as he passed.  Dominic climbed the steps and pulled open the door.  A wash of light flooded out, pushing away the darkening evening.  They entered and walked down a hallway lit with many candles.  Jake could hear the soft murmur of people speaking quietly, coming from the set of openings at the end of the hall.  Dominic headed straight for the opening on the right, clearly knowing his way around.

They entered another room which walls were lined with shelving, filled with books and scrolls.  Several large tables, with long wooden benches, were placed in the center of the room.  More clerics were about the room, some speaking quietly with a group of people in white robes at one of the tables or reading at small wooden desks set up next to the walls.  Light was provided by large chandeliers of candles, hanging from the ceiling, as well as stands of candles near the desks.  Across the room, a large set of closed doors was set into the wall.

Dominic approached one of the clerics and asked for Jonas.  The cleric nodded and called for one of the white-robed persons to come over.  As the person approached, Jake saw that he was a teenager about his own age, maybe a bit younger.  The cleric told him to find Jonas and the teenager gave a quick bow, turned and hurried off through a door at the end of the room.

"Apprentice clerics."  Dominic leaned over and whispered to Jake, identifying the significance of the white robes.  He raised his voice to a normal volume.  "Most boys your age have been apprenticed for at least a couple of years.  Those that can't be soldiers or craftsmen become clerics."

The cleric smiled at that and led Dominic and Jake over to an empty table.  He left them and had another apprentice bring over a tray with a pitcher of water and cups.  Dominic poured himself a cup and pushed the tray over to Jake.

"You can lower the hood now."  Dominic said, as he looked across the table at Jake.  "You are safe enough here."

Jake happily pulled the hood down, enjoying the cool air around his head.  He started to take off the cloak, but Dominic stopped him.

"Not just yet.  Wait a bit longer until Jonas has heard your tale."  He said, glancing at the door at the end of the room.  "I have been away for a while, so he will know more of the mood of the city."  Dominic drained his cup, set it down on the table and settled back into his chair.

Jake sat there sipping his water, aware of some of the clerics looking at him.  They had a look of concern on their faces; he realized that they were looking at his bruised and battered face.  A couple of clerics started towards him, clearly seeking to help, but the cleric that helped them waved them off.

They sat there for a few minutes, quiet, the gentle murmur of the conversations of the clerics surrounding them.  Dominic suddenly straightened as the door at the end of the room opened, the white robed apprentice coming through followed by a cleric in brown robes.

Jake could see that this cleric was a robust man about his height.  His face was tan, his head shaved bald and his short beard dark with some streaks of grey.  His eyes were also dark, set under thick eyebrows.  As he got closer, Jake could see that he had a friendly look about him.  His face was welcoming; eyes warm, with fine laugh lines at the corners of his eyes.  He looked as if he smiled and laughed a lot.  Unlike the other clerics, he carried a wooden staff about six feet tall, rune carved and capped in sliver.  He was not limping, so Jake was not sure why he was carrying it.

Dominic rose as the cleric got closer.  The cleric came up, a large smile on his face, and embraced Dominic.  When Dominic returned the embrace, Jake knew this had to be Jonas.

"Ahh, my friend, I'm glad to see you are still in one piece."  Jonas said, stepping back.  His voice had a soothing quality, it seemed to Jake.  "You have to send messages when you are out hunting to let me know you are still alive.  I have worried about you since you have been gone so long."

"You worry like an old woman, Jonas."  Dominic replied.  "If you are that concerned, you could always leave this and join me, so you can mother me all the time."

Jonas chuckled at that, giving Dominic a good-natured slap on the arm.  "I would just slow you down, like when we were children."  He turned to Jake, a curious look on his face.  "And who do we have here?"

"His name is Jake."  Dominic said quietly, looking around and nodding at the other clerics.  "It would be better to discuss this in private first, Jonas."

"If you think it's best, Dom."  Jonas said.  He turned back to the apprentice, who was waiting beside him.  "Go find Hailyn and have her come to my quarters.  Please tell her to bring some food for my guests when she comes."

"Yes, Master."  The apprentice gave a slight bow and hurried off.

Jonas turned to Jake.  "Come, young Jake.  I apologize for the unseemly welcome, but food will be brought for you while Dom and I talk."

Jake stood up and followed as Jonas and Dominic headed to the hallway door.  They turned right and went through one of the openings.  The opening led to an entryway with a wooden door.  Jonas opened the door and they stepped outside into a garden.  Jake could see several apprentices moving through the garden, lighting pathway torches in the evening air.  Jonas led them down a pathway that ended at a small stone building.  Up a couple of small steps was a plain wooden door.  Jonas opened the door and went in.

When Jake stepped inside, he saw that he was in a living room.  There was a small fire burning in the fireplace, with several braces of candles lit to give the room light.  A couple of chairs were set in front of the fireplace, with a small table with three chairs set against the opposite wall.  The walls were unadorned, with several wooden bookshelves scattered around the room, books and scrolls stacked neatly in them.  On the far wall, another door was open, candles lighting the room beyond.  Jake could see that there was a desk and chair, as well as a single bed against the back wall.

"Please sit down."  Jonas said to Jake, gesturing to the table.  "Hailyn should be here shortly."

Jake went to the table and pulled out one of the chairs and sat down gingerly, the short walk having revived his saddle soreness.  Jonas gave him a knowing smile.

"I see that Dom is still not the easiest to travel with.  I was going to wait for Hailyn, but maybe I should see to your injuries…"  He cut off as a knock sounded on the outside door.  "Good.  That's probably her."

Jonas opened the door and a young woman in a white robe entered, carrying a tray with two bowls and cups, a pitcher and a loaf of bread.  She was short and petite, only standing around five three with a pretty face, large brown eyes, a slender nose and full lips.  Her dark hair, shoulder length with long curls, framed her slightly tanned face.  She came over and set the tray down on the table.

"Jake, this is Hailyn, a senior apprentice."  Jonas said in the way of introduction.  "Hailyn, this is Jake, a guest and stranger to the city.  Please see to his injuries while Dom and I speak privately."  He gave Jake a reassuring pat on his shoulder as he turned and went through the door into the other room, Dominic following.

"Can I take this cloak off?"  Jake asked.  Dominic nodded as he closed the door behind him.

...

"What is this about, Dom?"  Jonas asked as the door closed.

"I think this is the boy Mirtin spoke of."  Dominic replied directly.

Jonas gave a start.  Mirtin had been Jonas' predecessor as Chief Cleric.  He had been an active man, beloved by the clerics, and lived a long, full life, fading only at the end.  It had been over ten years ago when he had been slowly dying, unconscious for the last week of his life, the other clerics unable to revive him.

Jonas had been watching over him, trying to keep him comfortable when Dominic had returned from one of his hunting expeditions.  They had stepped away from the bed and were talking quietly when Mirtin suddenly sat up, startling them, his eyes open and lucid.  He looked over at Jonas, meeting his eyes.

"I was visited by a Messenger of the One."  Mirtin said, voice soft, but clear.  "A day may come when a boy, almost a man, appears.  You will know him as a stranger and he will be pursued by our enemies.  If this day comes, you both..." pointing first at Jonas, then at Dominic "...must do everything to guide and protect him.  He must be allowed to fulfill his destiny, for it is something that is greatly desired.  Do not fail in this."  He finished, voice fading, then gave a shudder, his eyes closing and, with a long sigh, fell back on the bed.

Jonas had rushed to his side, but Mirtin was already dead, a slight, contented smile on his face.

"Tell me why you think this is that boy."  Jonas said to Dominic.

...

After the door closed, Jake rose and undid the cloak.  He folded it over one of the chairs in front to the fireplace and sat back down.  He saw Hailyn studying his torn and dirty sweats, making him feel a bit self-conscious.

Hailyn gave him a smile, took one of chairs at the table and moved it in front of Jake.  She sat down, their knees nearly touching.  This close, Jake could see that her irises had unusual golden flakes mixed in with the brown.  "I would like to look to your injuries, if you would let me."