chapter NINETEEN
Three days later, Jake was riding towards the North Gate, with Hailyn sitting behind him. He was glad that the rain had finally stopped. The clouds were still thick overhead, but Hailyn assured him that the rain was over. It had been a warm summer rain, but it was rain nonetheless, which meant Jake had to work extra hard to keep his equipment clean and presentable. It had begun the day after he was attacked.
As they made their way up the street, Jake thought back to the day of his attack. After Norlan arrived at the Temple, concern etching his face, he and his protectors had met to discuss what happened. They had spoken with the watch commander, who arrived shortly after they gathered. The soldiers had traced the blood trail to a sewer opening, but were unable to track it past that. The commander believed that the attacker was a simple footpad, out to rob someone. Jake had looked like a minor noble in his clothes, so maybe the man saw an easy mark. Also, the commander noted, he was using a club; most robberies recently were by men with clubs. Likely, that meant that he was not looking to kill Jake; otherwise, it would have been knives or swords. The commander promised to have his men watch for any injured men in the usual seedy places. Jake could tell that Dominic was not satisfied with that, but he thanked the commander anyway and sent him on his way.
Jonas, Dominic and Norlan debated for some time about what they should do. In the end, they agreed that Jake would continue his routine, but he should wear his armor and sword constantly from now on. To be on the safe side, Norlan would walk with Jake to his training and Dominic would make sure he made it home. He would not move about the city alone until they found out the reason for the attack.
Dominic had initially resisted that idea, stating that Jake was almost a grown man and, staying in public places with a heightened awareness of his surroundings, should be able to avoid trouble or defend himself. Jonas had rejected that suggestion, arguing that Jake could be deceived into a trap or it could be more than one attacker that he would face. Norlan was sure that Madalin would accept nothing less than someone being with Jake while he traveled around the city until they knew it was safe.
Madalin was beside herself when Norlan and Jake came back to the house, Jake's clothes covered in blood. It took Norlan and Jake both to settle her down. She was not happy that Jake would still continue his routine, but after Norlan spoke with her privately, she at least agreed to it.
Norlan went to the shed and removed a large wooden maul, leaving it near the front door. When Jake asked about it, Norlan said. "I don't know swords or axes, but I have been swinging a hammer most of my life."
Jake had gone to clean up, taking off his bloody clothes, when he removed his phone. He realized that it was on, so he went to shut it down. As the screen flashed on, he saw the date. He was startled when he saw that it was his eighteenth birthday in a couple of days. He had lost track of the time he had been here.
When he mentioned his birthday in passing the next day, Madalin insisted they celebrate it. She went out into the rain to gather supplies and prepared a fine meal for his birthday, inviting Jake's friends over. Dominic, Jonas and Hailyn were there; Helman, Almos and Dern came as well. They all gave him small gifts, with Hailyn promising to take him to listen to a singer the next evening at a theater near the North Gate.
Dominic decided to release him from training the next day as a present. "I want to go scout out some reports anyway." Dominic had said with a smile.
"Are you excited to hear some music, Jake?" Hailyn asked, interrupting his thoughts, bringing him back to the present.
"Yeah. It should be fun." Jake said, looking up and hoping she was right about the rain.
…
As his men were lighting torches next to the inside gate, Sergeant Jeffreys checked the lock on the West Gate after the two large outer doors banged shut, sealing off the city for the night. Satisfied, he made his way back down the tunnel to the small guard room that was built into the city wall next to the gates. As he exited the tunnel, he could hear the sounds of city nightlife developing across open courtyard. He went into the guard room and headed for the duty officer desk to fill in the log. Out of habit, he checked the wheels that opened and closed the gates as he went by. They seemed to be in good condition and set in the locked position.
As he completed his entries, he was grateful that this would be his last night shift. His commanders had just approved his request to move to the day shift, starting after a week of leave to adjust his sleep patterns. He was not happy that he would have leave his men to go over to the East Gate, but his wife was overjoyed with the idea of him being home every night.
It had been hard on the marriage since he was promoted and had to work nights. His wife worked during the day as a seamstress. They only saw each other for a couple of hours each day, sharing the morning meal before she left for her work. The strain had been growing for months now, so he hoped this transfer would allow them to recapture the joy they once had.
He was lost in his thoughts when the door opened and Captain Stradford stepped into the guard room. It took Jeffreys a moment to realize that he was there, then stood quickly and came to attention, saluting.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was distracted and did not hear you come in." Jeffreys said.
"At ease, Sergeant." Stradford said, returning the salute. "There is nothing to apologize for. I'm sure you were just thinking happy thoughts about this being your last night here."
"I was at that, sir." Jeffreys replied.
"Is your wife happy with the new assignment?" Stradford asked.
"She is, sir. It has been a rough last several months with me working nights." Jeffreys said, smiling.
"I am glad to hear that, Sergeant. I hate to lose you, but I know the importance of family." Stradford said, face suddenly drawn.
"Can I help you with something, sir?" Jeffreys asked gently, noticing the look.
"I need you to gather your men and head to the East Gate." Stradford said, giving himself a little shake. "There have been reports of the movement of an unknown force along the river and we are going to reinforce that gate."
"Sir, that would leave this gate undefended!" Jeffreys said sharply, shocked by the order.
"I understand, Sergeant; I made the same argument, but those are the orders I was given." Stradford said. "I will stay here to seal the gate, if necessary. Don't look so worried, Sergeant. The outer gate is locked and the archers on the wall will buy us some time if something were to happen. The current threat is at the East Gate."
"I don't like it, sir. Why can't the Royal Guards reinforce the guards at the East Gate?"
"You know how this works, Sergeant. Those on high give the orders without input from those of us who must implement it." Stradford moved and sat down at the desk. "Regardless of our feelings, you have your orders, Sergeant. Gather your men and move to the East Gate." He gave Jeffreys a salute.
Jeffreys returned the salute and strode out of the guard room. He did not like this at all, his gut telling him that something was wrong, but orders were orders. He called to his men to gather their weapons and form up. They looked at him, puzzled by the order, but soon were standing in ranks. He told them of their new orders and started them marching away from the gate.
…
Stradford waited until Sergeant Jeffreys' platoon disappeared into the city, then climbed the stairs to the top of the wall. He ordered archers to head down the wall to reinforce the North Gate, telling them to gather all of the archers as they went. It was stupid, he told them, but those were the orders he was given. It was probably just an exercise to test their response. He would keep watch here.
The archers left, not questioning the orders. Once he was sure they were out of sight, Stradford grabbed a torch burning nearby and headed to the edge of the wall. Sticking the torch through the archers gap, he waved it back and forth three times. He turned and replaced the torch, then went down the stairs to the gate tunnel. He walked to the outer gates and unlocked them, hands shaking. Wiping the sweat running down his face, he exited the tunnel and entered the guard room. He went to the large wheel that controlled the outer doors. Usually turned by two soldiers, it took him a couple of minutes as he strained and struggled, but he was finally able to open a gap in the outer gates. He hurried outside and waited at the end of the tunnel, as ordered.
Down in the tunnel, the Imps and their half-men flowed through the open gate and into the city. They stopped just inside the city wall, the demons looking around cautiously, assessing the situation. One of the Imps came over to Stradford.
"Well done, Captain." It said, voice cold and emotionless, black eyes reflecting the nearby torches. "You have proven to be a useful tool."
"Where is my family?!" Stradford demanded, hand grasping his sword, looking for them in the press of half-men.
"They are here." The Imp looked over at the half-men and called out. "Bring them."
There was movement in the crowd and Stradford caught sight of his wife and daughter. "You said they would be returned to me unharmed!" He screamed, yanking at his sword.
"Did I?" The Imp laughed, harsh and cruel, sharp teeth gleaming. "And you believed me?" Quick as lightning, its arm lashed out, claws slashing across Stradford's throat. Stradford collapsed to the ground, his last sight that of his wife and daughter's abused and dead bodies being dumped next to him.
The demon known as Rigil turned back to his brothers and quickly determined their course of action. The eight demons had two hundred and fifty of their followers with them. One of his brothers led two ten-man teams away to go down the side streets to make their way as quickly and quietly as possible and capture the boy unharmed. Another brother took fifty men along the wall to capture the South Gate to open another avenue of retreat.
He and his other brothers would take the rest up the main street to set up a blocking force to engage their most serious threat: the clerics. By having the humans focus their attention on that force, his brother should be able to get out with the boy before they closed their avenues of retreat.
After disabling the gate mechanisms to prevent the gates from being closed, Rigil and his brothers took their force up the main street. As they moved, they released the half-men from any restraints. They could kill whoever crossed their path, they told them laughingly.
Before long, the screaming began.
…
Sergeant Jeffreys, his doubts still gnawing at him, had his men almost across the courtyards when he hear what sounded like a faint scream coming from behind him.
"Halt!" He cried out, his men responding to his command instantly. He turned back towards the west, listening. Almost immediately, he heard more screaming. He suddenly felt tightness in his chest, knowing that he had been betrayed by Stradford, though he had no idea why. He also saw flashes of yellow light reflecting off the lower clouds, pulsing against the darkness in the direction of the Temple. That could only mean one thing - clerics were battling demons or their followers.
"To arms!" He called out, his men quickly securing their shields and drawing their swords.
"At a run, forward!" Jeffreys cried as he drew his own sword and raced his men towards the Temple, praying they were not too late.
...
Dominic and Jonas were sitting at the table in Jonas' residence, sharing a small pitcher of wine, discussing Dominic's findings after eating a light meal. Dominic had ridden up shortly before dark, after spending most of the day scouting.
"There were some tracks, but with the rain, it was difficult to tell how long ago they were made." Dominic said, taking a sip from his cup. "I will head back out tomorrow to see if I can pick up any new trails."
A distant scream carried into the room. Dominic was immediately on his feet and heading for the door. Jonas grabbed his staff and followed on his heels. They paused in the garden, listening, sharing a quick look when another scream sounded from the other side of the Temple. Dominic's sword was in his hand in a heartbeat and they took off at a run for the gate. As Jonas ran next to Dominic, he saw the flash of a cleric's yellow fire reflecting off the street, followed by the sound of clashing magics. He brought up his own might, his body and staff shining brightly with power. They reached the street, Dominic slightly ahead, and turned towards the palace, to be greeted with a nightmare.
Jonas could see a large group of half-men were battling a smaller group of clerics and apprentices, some already down, their blood darkening the ground. Mixed in with half-men were several demons, their black fire wreaking havoc, striking anyone who got close.
Near the Temple doors, Jonas saw Kansic standing in front of a group of children and their mothers, apparently caught up in this as they were leaving from an evening class. The children were terrified, their pitiful wails wrenching at Jonas' heart. Kansic was glowing with power, keeping the half-men nearest him at bay.
As Jonas ran behind Dominic, he saw one of the demons engage Kansic, its black fire striking him. Kansic cried out as the demon's power collided with his own, knocking him back, burning his skin. He launched a desperate counter-strike, yellow fire lashing out at the demon. The demon laughed as it blocked the attack and struck back. The half-men started to move forward as Kansic fell back, body burning and face contorted in agony, but he was able to regain his feet. Jonas knew instinctively that Kansic would not survive much longer.
"Dom!" Jonas cried, pointing towards Kansic. Dominic saw the danger and sprinted ahead.
He rushed headlong after Dominic towards Kansic, his fear for him and anger at the death around him stoking the power he was holding. He shone like a fallen star, yellow fire pulsing, pushing away the darkness.
Dominic reached the half-men first, barreling full speed into them, his sword flashing. It was as if an explosion occurred as bodies flew as he cut his way into their ranks, half-men falling around him. He was a whirlwind of death, made of hardened steel, unstoppable.
Jonas lost sight of the demon as he drew closer, but sent his own might lashing out into the mass of half-men where he last saw it. His power reduced the closest to ash, while knocking others away, bodies smoking. He struck again, laying about him, desperate to save Kansic and his charges. But it was already too late as another bolt of dark fire struck Kansic, overwhelming his defenses, and he fell, the pain on his face fading as death took him, body smoldering.
Jonas had no time to mourn as the demon turned its power towards Dominic. Jonas saw the demon's attack and released his own might to challenge it. His power collided with the demon's, sunlight clashing with the night, bursting the air, shattering it. He knew where the demon was now and he counter-attacked, a brilliant lance of yellow fire racing towards it. The attack knocked it down, flesh crackling and steaming. Jonas shrugged off the demon's return burst of dark magic, and hammered it again, this time his power tearing past its defenses and consuming it. With a high pitched cry, the demon exploded into ash.
Jonas attacked the half-men closing with Dominic, scattering them. Dominic immediately charged into the opening, sword a blur as he found new targets. Jonas risked exposing Dominic for a moment as he quickly got the women and children to move into the Temple. He stood in front of the doors until they were inside, shining as bright as the noonday sun, forcing more power through his staff than he had ever wielded.
Too late, the remaining demons realized that he was their greatest threat. They ignored the rest of the battle, combined their power and sent a wave of dark fire streaking toward Jonas.
Jonas met the attack, undaunted, but was forced back by its intensity. He gritted his teeth and set himself to the fight of his life. He struck back at the demons, his power racing across the distance. The demons blocked it and fired back. Streaks of darkness and light danced across the street as they fought.
Suddenly, the Temple bells started to ring. On the other side of the battle, Jonas could see a group of soldiers, shields and swords in hand, come running out of the night to fall on the demon forces' rear. They began to cut into the half-men, distracting the demons for a moment. Jonas took advantage, striking the nearest demon, overwhelming and destroying it.
From the direction of the palace, Jonas heard horns blowing. That meant that the Royal Guards were coming. The demons heard it as well.
Jonas heard one cry out in a cold, inhuman voice to the others. "We must hold! Nasran needs more time to capture the boy."
Jonas felt himself go cold. They were here for Jake! Desperately, he sent his might into the demons and called out for Dominic, battling nearby. Dominic heard him, disengaging from the half-men, Jonas sending his fire into them to give Dominic cover.
Dominic ran up to him, bleeding from numerous minor wounds. Jonas ignored the battle for a moment, grabbing Dominic's arm. "They're after Jake, Dom." Jonas said hurriedly. "More of them were sent to find him."
Dominic immediately sprinted off into the night, heading back towards the Temple. As more clerics came out of the Temple, Jonas turned his attention back to the demons, surging forward into the fight, calling for his clerics to join him. He saw a formation of Royal Guards enter the battle near the soldiers, the half-men being pushed back.
Since Jonas was directing the clerics' attack, he heard rather than saw Dominic racing by on Shadow, the horse's hooves ringing against the stone. Relieved by that sound, Jonas grimly gathered his clerics to rid the city of these demons.
…
Jake and Hailyn, sitting on Dontas' back, were moving at a slow walk back in the direction the Temple from the North Gate, talking quietly. Jake had to admit that the singer was good, though it was not really his type of music. However, it had been nice to spend that time with Hailyn, sitting close together in the little theater.
As they were going past a tavern with a large group of people milling around the doors, one of the patrons noticed them and called out to Hailyn. "Sister! Will you please help us?"
"What is the trouble?" Hailyn asked.
"Neven was acting the fool, drunk and telling everyone how good he was with knives, and went and stabbed himself in the hand." The man told her. Some of the others laughed at that, shaking their heads.
"Jake, stop for a moment, please." Hailyn said quietly.
Jake halted Dontas and helped Hailyn down. She made her way over to the group, who respectfully parted for her. When they moved, Jake could see a young man sitting on the steps, in obvious pain, a thin dagger sticking through his hand, some cloth wrapped around it. Hailyn made her way quickly to him, her power suddenly shining. She removed the cloth, examining the hand. She told one of Neven's friends to pull the dagger out, Neven crying out at the new pain, then Hailyn's healing took over. Quickly, she was helping him up, chastising him to not drink so much and to be more careful.
The crown parted again as Hailyn came back over, then took up teasing Neven, with some telling him they would buy him a drink. Most of the crowd went back inside.
Jake was reaching down to help Hailyn up when a brilliant flash of yellow light erupted in the distance. They paused, startled by the display. The other people in the street saw it as well and turned to stare, all conversation ceasing. In the quiet of the night, they could hear the faint sounds of fighting and screaming coming from that direction. The darkness was lit by more flashes of light, coming rapidly together, strobing in the night.
"It's coming from the Temple." Hailyn said, quiet and intense. "That has to be clerics' magic causing the light. We need to get there." Her form suddenly shone with power, lighting the area around them.
Jake nodded, but before they could move, a group of five half-men came barreling out of a side street. They saw Hailyn's shining form and immediately started running up the street, slashing and striking the other people in the street still watching the display. The crowds immediately fled, cries of fear echoing along the street.
Hailyn reacted immediately, sending her power into the half-men, scattering and knocking them back. They got back to their feet, their bodies smoking, and spread out, trying to limit Hailyn's effectiveness.
Shocked for a moment by their sudden appearance, Jake shook of his inaction and dropped off Dontas' back. He drew his sword and moved to defend Hailyn.
"It is the boy." One of the half-men said, a tall and burly man. "He was reported to spend time with a girl cleric. Kill her and take him."
As they began to rush forward, Jake leapt in front of Hailyn, sword moving. He engaged the closest half-man, meeting his attack, sword to sword, while Hailyn lashed out at the others, her power hurting them, driving them back.
Jake tried to stay calm as he and his opponent traded blows, allowing his body to react as Dominic taught him. Jake was able to nick the man's sword arm, but narrowly dodged a blow that almost took his hand.
"You idiot!" One of the half-men shouted, slapping Jake's opponent with the flat of his blade. "We are supposed to take him alive, with limited harm."
Jake fell back next to Hailyn, his sword swinging as he engaged the half-men who avoided Hailyn's blasts. They were at a stalemate, the half-men having the greater numbers, but limited by their need to take Jake alive and unharmed, while Hailyn could not focus her power on one without exposing herself to the others. The groups continued to trade blows, but neither side could take advantage.
Jake was desperately trying to figure out how they were going to get out of this when out of the dark, like an avenging angel, Dominic appeared on Shadow, riding hard. He did not slow down as he charged Shadow into the group of half-men, the impact sending them tumbling away, while he swung his sword, dropping one of the half-men with a blow to the head. Shadow lashed out with his hind legs, his steel-shod hooves flinging another half-man away. Even as Shadow tore through the group, Dominic leapt from his back, sword moving. The half-men struggled to gain their feet and regroup, but Dominic was on them before they could succeed, and that quickly, the fight was over.
Dominic ran over to Jake and Hailyn, his face and body streaked with blood. Hailyn noticed that some of it was from wounds and she reached out to Dominic, her power shining, but he pushed her away. "Leave over, girl. None are serious." He growled.
He turned to Jake. "They are here for you, boy." Dominic stated, voice calm and manner matter-of-fact. "You and the girl get on your horse. We will ride straight to the Temple. That will be the safest place for now." He started to move towards Shadow when he suddenly whirled around. At the same time, Jake felt as if an icy hand had seized his heart, freezing his blood, and heard Hailyn gasp.
Out of the side street, a short figure stepped into the main road, its form seeming darker than the night. Jake instinctively knew that this was a demon, even before he saw the torchlight faintly reflecting off its black eyes and sharp teeth.
Without hesitating, Dominic moved towards it, sword held ready. The demon smiled at that, raising a fist and a blast of inky darkness shot towards Dominic. Dominic dove out of the way, rolling back to his feet, the bolt crashing harmlessly into the side of a building.
The demon, its dark power like a sheath around its body, was bringing its fist around to strike again when Hailyn reacted, her magic slamming into it, sending it reeling back, its form steaming. Before it could set itself, Hailyn struck again, her face set, knocking it over. It came up to its feet, launched its power back at Hailyn. She was able to deflect it, the powers colliding, sizzling and crackling the air.
Before it could react, Dominic was there, swinging his sword with both hands. His blow severed the demon's head, its body dropping to the ground. Hailyn set a blast into the body and head, turning it into ash.
Dominic quickly wiped his blade on one of the fallen half-men and ran over to leap onto Shadow's back. "Well fought, girl." He said to Hailyn. He gestured at Dontas. "Get on your horse now, boy. Move!"
Jake ran over to Dontas, got into the saddle and pulled Hailyn up behind him. They rode past the fallen half-men, then past on-lookers as the horses got up to a gallop. As they rode towards the Temple, a woman's scream sounded down a side street, a cry of horror and pain. Dominic hesitated for a moment, then looked at Jake. "Go straight to the Temple. Do not stop for anyone or anything. Jonas will protect you until I return." With that, he turned Shadow and rode down the side street, headed towards the scream.
The Temple grew closer as they sped along the street when Jake was struck by a terrible thought. He pulled on the reins, bringing Dontas to a halt.
"Hailyn, if they are here for me, they may know that I'm staying with Norlan." Jake said over his shoulder to Hailyn. "I have to go check on them!"
Hailyn hesitated for a moment, doubt on her face, then said. "If we are going to do it, let's do it quickly."
Jake turned Dontas towards home and booted him into a run. They flew past homes and buildings, ignoring the shouted questions from concerned bystanders as they rode past. Jake could only think of the family, praying they were ok.
There were some people gathered at Norlan's as they pulled up, Jake sawing at the reins to stop Dontas. Jake leapt off of the horse, pushing past the people he recognized as neighbors, Hailyn right behind him. When they reach the gate, they were greeted with a scene of horror.
Five half-men bodies lay on the yard, some with gaping wounds and others looking crushed. Jake saw Maxis sprawled across top of one of them, his jaws bloody and a dagger sticking out of his side. On the porch, Norlan was lying on the ground, head cradled in Madalin's lap, his clothes rent and bloody, face pale, while a neighbor held a cloth on a large stomach wound. Next to him was the large maul he had brought out days earlier. Madalin, tears flowing and a lost look on her face, absently stroked his face, ignoring the large gash on her forehead.
Hailyn rushed over to them, her power at the ready. She reached Norlan and took his head into her hands, concentrating. Her power brightened as she started healing. Norlan tensed and groaned briefly as Jake saw the wounds seal shut, then relaxed. Hailyn continued to hold his head for another moment, her power still shining. Satisfied, she let go and reached over to Madalin.
"What happened?" Jake asked, his heart breaking as he surveyed the damage done.
"Cherise was out front with the dog when I heard him barking." Norlan replied, his voice drawn. "I had never heard that kind of barking from him, then I heard Cherise scream. I grabbed the maul and went outside. Maxis had already savaged one of them and was attacking another, when I saw that they had Cherise." His voice broke, as a sob escaped him. He gestured towards the bodies with crushing injuries. "I did what I could." Madalin began weeping.
Stunned, Jake could only stand there until he heard a soft whine come from Maxis. He rushed over to the dog, having thought he was dead. Maxis raised his head slightly as Jake stroked him, another soft whine coming from him. "Hailyn!" Jake shouted. "Maxis is still alive!"
Hailyn was there in an instant. She laid her hands on Maxis, surveying the damage. "Jake, when I tell you to, I want you to remove the dagger. Try and pull it out straight." Hailyn told him. Her power began to flow into the dog. "Now, Jake."
Using both hands, Jake pulled the dagger out quickly, Maxis shifting in pain. Hailyn's power flared and Jake watched as the wound sealed. Once Hailyn was finished and stepped back, Maxis shook his head, then surged to his feet, standing on unsteady legs. Jake felt a rush of relief at the sight.
"They were looking for you, Jake." Norlan's voice said quietly. Jake turned back to the porch. Norlan had shifted into a sitting position. "I heard them talking about you. They sent one of their men to check your room."
Jake glanced around, realizing something in the chaos. "Where is Cherise?"
Norlan's face fell, tears coming to his eyes. Madalin threw her head back and wailed, her voice sounding as if her very soul was being torn apart. "They took her!!"
Jake felt as if a hammer had been taken to his heart. His mind seemed to go blank as he turned and ran to Dontas. "Which way did they go?!" He shouted as he leapt into the saddle.
"Jake, no!!" He heard Hailyn and Madalin cry out together, Hailyn running to reach him.
"Which way?!" He demanded again. One of the neighbors pointed towards the south. Jake booted Dontas and took off after them, the thought of Cherise in the half-men's hands chilling him to the core when he recalled his treatment.
He was able to follow their trail fairly easily. The half-men were desperate to get away and did not let anything stand in their way. There were groups of people along the way helping the injured or taking care of the dead. He came across a wagon team, the horses missing and the driver dead in the seat. That meant that they were probably on horseback now. Based on the path they were taking, Jake surmised that they were heading for the South Gate. Deciding to risk losing the trail for the opportunity to get ahead of them, Jake leaned over Dontas' neck and ran him straight for the South Gate.
When he arrived, he stopped as the courtyard near the gate was in chaos. Jake saw several clerics battling a demon, their power crackling the air while groups of soldiers and cavalry were fighting with a large group of half-men, the few archers on the wall raining arrows down at the demon and half-men. The gates themselves were open.
"Jake!" Jake looked to his right as Armartas rode up, a bloody sword in his hand. "You shouldn't be here. You are not ready for this yet."
"Some half-men took Cherise, Armartas." Jake replied. "They were on horseback and headed here. I have to get her back!"
"A small group rode through minutes ago and headed straight out the gate. The half-men here damaged the doors so we cannot shut them." Armartas said, attention still focused on the battle. "We feathered two of them on the other side, but at least three got away." He turned and reached over to grasp Jake's arm, a look of sorrow in his eyes. "There is nothing you can do about it now, Jake. I cannot spare the men until I am sure we have cleared the city. I am sorry."
"Thank you for everything, Armartas." Jake said quietly, then booted Dontas ahead, racing through the gate, Armartas' cry to stop falling behind.
As they came out of the gate and Dontas powered down the road, Jake saw the two half-men lying on the ground, each with multiple arrows piercing their bodies. He saw no trace of Cherise, so he rode on.
The clouds that had been covering the area began to thin out and moonlight began to reach the ground. Jake could see fresh hoofprints in the damp dirt, so he followed them, losing them every now and again as the clouds blocked the moonlight.
He had ridden for several miles when the moonlight shone again and he saw a dark line stretching across the grass that covered the area, heading towards the wooded hills. Jake stopped where the line met the road. He saw that the hoofprints ended there and the dark line was the path of trampled grass. Thinking there could be no other explanation, Jake turned Dontas and followed the trail.
When he reached the woods, he found that the trees were tightly packed. He did not see how he could ride into those woods in the dark. He slid off Dontas' back and looked around. In the pale moonlight, he found the tracks of several horses and clear boot prints as well; the half-men must have led the horses into the woods. Tying Dontas' reins to a nearby tree, Jake took off on foot, hoping to overtake them since they would have to go slower when leading the horses.
Jake tried to keep the tracks in sight, but the trees were blocking the moonlight. He would have to stop and kneel from time to time to locate the tracks. He continued on, his only thought of saving Cherise.
After several minutes of this, he stopped again to look when he heard the soft whinny of a horse. When it sounded again, he immediately set off in the direction he heard it come from. Soon, he could hear the muffled voices of several men and saw a faint orange light ahead. He drew his sword and continued on, trying to avoid making any loud noises. As he slowly climbed up a small rise, he could tell what he wanted was on the other side. He heard the rough voices of the men and could just make out the sounds of a girl crying. Jake came up behind a tree and glanced cautiously around it.
In the hollow beyond the rise, next to a small stream, Jake saw three half-men, their backs to him, silhouetted in the light of a couple of torches, facing Cherise. Cherise was battered and bloody, her face showing the signs of the abuse she had endured.
"We may as well have some fun." The one closest to her said, as he slapped her hard, causing her to fall to the ground. He knelt and grabbed her dress, ripping at it while the others laughed.
Jake's mind went flat. He was moving before he realized it, charging down towards the men. They heard his approach, reaching for weapons as they turned to meet him. The nearest half-man spun around, only to take Jake's sword in the throat. He went down in a heap.
Jake slid around the man, using his forward motion to carry him past. Facing the next man, his hand on his sword, Jake drove his sword point down, sliding the blade along the man's wrist, preventing him from drawing his sword. Jake continued the motion, his sword stabbing into the man's thigh. The man cried out as Jake wrenched his sword free and, like Dominic did with Matus, used his momentum to spin around, his sword striking the back of the man's neck. The man collapsed as if his strings were cut, his cry dying.
As Jake moved towards the last man, who was just getting to his feet, the man threw a dagger at him. Jake tried to twist away, but he could not avoid the dagger. Fortunately, it bounced harmlessly off of his breastplate.
Jake's momentary pause was enough for the man to move away and draw his sword, then come at him. Jake put himself between the man and Cherise, determined to protect her.
"You were stupid to come here, boy." The man said, sword moving back and forth. "You will die for that foolish girl and I will still have her." The man laughed as he suddenly surged forward, sword seeking Jake.
Jake was able to deflect the sword, but missed the man's backstroke and felt the sword slice across his arm, pain radiating from the wound. His mind shook as he realized that this man was a better swordsman. Jake desperately tried to defend, but the man continued to nick and wound him.
Soon, Jake had cuts bleeding from his arms and legs. He could feel himself slowing. The man, a fixed grin on his face, was toying with him. Once he tired of it, Jake would die and Cherise would be all alone.
At that thought, Jake's felt his anger and frustration well up. He had to find a way to save Cherise! He would not let this man have her!
As his passion reached its peak, he suddenly felt as if his heart was on fire and a tingling sensation spread over his body. He saw the half-man's eyes go wide a moment before everything exploded in a brilliant flash of bright light, then suddenly went black.