Sword of Light (11 page)

“I’m fine, but I don’t think I should have had so much wine.”  Norlan said with a light smile and a rueful shake of his head.  “I still enjoy drinking a good wine, but every year that I grow older, if I drink too much, the next morning gets a bit more unpleasant.”

“I understand.”  Jake said, remembering his hangover from the party at Matt’s house.  He swung his feet out and stood.  “I’ll be in as soon as I get dressed.”

Norlan nodded and left.  Jake put on his clothes and stepped out onto the patio.  He saw that the sky was cloudy and a cool wind was blowing.  The clouds were not very dark, so Jake hoped that that meant no rain.  He headed into the house and found the family already at the table.

During the meal, Jake listened with an amused smile as Cherise excitedly recounted all of the dancing at the celebration.  She spoke almost non-stop, pausing only to take a bite to eat at the prompting of her father.  Madalin listened with a contented look on her face while Norlan shook his head at Cherise’s gushing account of all of the attention that Marcus had shown her. 
Looks like Marcus has another admirer.
  Jake thought. 
But after what she went through, I’m glad she was able to have such a good time.

After breakfast, Jake returned to his room, settled back onto the bed and released his power.  He lay there, lost in thought.  The good mood that came from seeing Cherise happy faded as he considered what happened last night.  He replayed his conversation with the king in his mind several times, trying to determine if he should or could have said anything different.

Thinking about Keria made him depressed.  Visualizing her in his head was almost painful as she was so beautiful.  He remembered the feel of her body next to his as they had kissed, the fragrance of her perfume and the smile she gave him like it was for him alone.  He was giving her up and, to make the situation worse, he felt that out of respect for what Marcus had done, he had to promote the idea of Marcus and Keria to the king.

But, despite the sense of loss, he knew in his heart that it was the right thing to do.  He was not looking to be a king and, if the way home appeared, he would take it without hesitation.  It was not fair to Keria, or Marcus for that matter, for him to continue to chase after her.  He had to harden his heart against such attachments and stay focused on finding how to get back to his own world. 
I will be tough.
  He thought resolutely, though it did not make him feel any better.

Focused on his thoughts, he was startled by a soft knock on his door.  As he embraced his power and sat up, he heard Hailyn’s voice.

“May I come in?”  She asked.

“Sure, Hailyn.”  Jake replied.  He watched as she entered his room, dressed in her white apprentice robes.  She seemed to be in good spirits, giving him a smile and came over and sat at the foot of his bed.  He pulled his knees back towards his chest to make sure that she did not accidently touch him.

“How are feeling, Jake?”  She inquired.

“Fine.”  Jake said casually.  “Not much has changed.”

“That is better than things getting worse.”  Hailyn said lightly.  “Did you enjoy the celebration at the palace?”

“It was ok.”  Jake said.  He was struck by a sudden thought.  “How come you were not invited?  You had as big a role in Keria’s rescue as me or Marcus.”

“I was invited, but my duties at the Temple kept me from attending.”  She said, shaking her head.  “I think I would have enjoyed seeing if you could learn the dance steps in a night.”  She finished with a gentle laugh.

“I stayed away from the dancing.”  Jake said hurriedly.  “I was not about to trip over someone’s feet trying to keep up.”

“You should dance, Jake.”  Hailyn replied with an amused look in her eyes.  “It is good for the spirit and the body.  Besides, women like a man who can dance.”

“Maybe, once I am healed, I will have you teach me.”  Jake said with a chuckle.  “I think I need any help I can get in the women department.”

“Why do you say that?”  Hailyn asked, tilting her head and giving him a curious look.

Jake told Hailyn everything that happened the previous night, including the conversation with the king.  She seemed sympathetic for the most part, offering him words of support as he tried to explain his feelings about it all.  However, when he told her about his desire to be tough and focus on getting home, she was less than accommodating.

“I understand your desire to return home, but you cannot simply ignore your feelings or those of the people trying to help you.”  She said directly, a displeased look on her face.  “To do so means that you are simply using people to get what you want.  That is what the demons do.”

“Wait a minute, I’m no freaking demon.”  Jake said with some heat.  “Just because I don’t want to get too attached doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

“I know that.”  Hailyn said, holding up her hands.  “I was just trying to point out that you are a person, like we all are, and you can’t give up on happiness, caring, compassion and the other emotions that the One has given us to enjoy this life.”

She reached for him, then pulled her hand back with a frustrated grimace on her face.  “You can still enjoy friendship, fellowship and love until you return to your home.”  She paused for a moment, then continued.  “Surely, you know that Norlan and Madalin love you.  Would you disregard that?”

“No.”  Jake sighed, then taking a deep breath and releasing it, not wanting to fight with her.  “I appreciate what all of you have done for me and I understand what you are saying, Hailyn.  It just pisses me off that it can be so unfair.”

“Things will work out the way they must.”  She replied serenely.  “Trust in the One, Jake, and don’t let the disappointments stand in the way of happiness.”

“I’ll try.”  Jake said as he stared into those unusual brown eyes.  He gave her a smile, which she returned.  “You are a great friend to have, Hailyn.  I am so glad that-“ He was interrupted by another knock on his doorframe.

“Come in!”  He called out, expecting to see Norlan or Madalin.

He was surprised when Marcus entered his room.  He was dressed in a fine, but plain, white shirt and black pants with his sword belted on.  Like Norlan, he appeared to be suffering from a hangover.  Marcus paused when he saw Jake and Hailyn sitting on the bed.

“I am sorry if I am interrupting.”  Marcus said smoothly.  “I can come back later.”

“No, please stay, Marcus.”  Hailyn said as she stood.  “I need to get back to the Temple.”  She looked down at Jake.  “Think on what I said, Jake.  I will try to see you tomorrow.”  With a nod to Marcus as she passed, she pushed the curtain aside and left the room.

“What brings you by?”  Jake asked.  “You look like you could use some sleep.”

Marcus shook his head slightly, rubbing his temples.  “My friends dragged me to the taverns after the celebration ended.”  He said with a weak grin.  “I don’t drink much and there seemed to be an endless supply of ale.  I feel like someone is pounding on my head with a hammer from the inside.”

Jake chuckled at the description while Marcus went to retrieve the stool and move it near the foot of the bed.  He sat down, sighing contently, then turned his attention back to Jake.

“I came by for two reasons.”  Marcus said quietly.  “The first is to apologize for my brother’s behavior last night.  You left before I could speak with you.”

“What is his problem?”  Jake asked.  He paused, then continued when Marcus did not respond.  “I know that you two are brothers, but, really, he’s a total dick.”

Marcus sat there quietly for a moment, then spoke.  “Rolas has always felt that I was a threat to his position.  He has claimed, for as long as I can remember, that our father favors me, the younger brother, over him, the rightful heir.  He believes that I am trying to undermine him and cheat him out of his inheritance.”

“You would think that he would get beyond it.”  Jake said.  “You’ve been away from home for a while, right?”

“Yes, but he does not see it like that.”  Marcus replied.  “He is now afraid that I have influence with the king and will use it to take my father’s title and lands when he passes.  Nothing I say makes any difference.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, Marcus.”  Jake said.  “Really, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, Jake.”  Marcus replied, nodding his head.

“What is the second reason?”  Jake asked.

“I wanted to know what the king said to you last night.”  Marcus stated directly.  “After you left, Keria went to speak with her father.  I did not hear what was said, but she was in a mood afterwards.  She would not tell me what had upset her, but I gathered it was what the king spoke with you about.”

Jake considered for a moment on what to say, then sighed, shaking his head.  Marcus deserved to know.  Jake told him what the king had said, as well as what he said to the king.  Marcus simply looked at Jake once he finished, reflecting on what he just heard.

After a few tense moments for Jake, Marcus spoke.  “I appreciate your honestly.  I think that Keria sees it differently, but I believe that you made the right decision.”  He held up a hand before Jake could say anything.  “I don’t say that to be cruel or to applaud my good fortune, but because I think that you have a long road ahead of you before you can return to your home.”  He paused briefly.  “I know something of being separated from home, so I am sympathetic to your plight.”

He stood and came over to Jake, extending his hand.  “I seem to find myself getting further in debt to you.”  Marcus said, a smile appearing on his face.  “I would like any hard feelings that existed between us to fade away.  I accept your offer from the road and want you to consider me a friend.”

Jake slowly stood and shook his hand.  “Thank you, Marcus.”  Jake said.  “Just take care of Keria.”

“With my life.”  Marcus said seriously.  He tuned to leave.  “You should continue to gather your strength.”  He paused at the door, looking back.  “If you need my help for anything, send a message and I will come.”

After the curtain closed behind Marcus, Jake heard a murmur of voices from the yard and glanced out the window to see who it was.  Madalin and Cherise were at the foot of the steps talking with Marcus while Norlan looked on from the door.  Jake watched as Marcus took Cherise’s hand and kissed it as he said something to her.  Jake saw Cherise absolutely glow with delight as Marcus turned to give Madalin a formal bow, Madalin with a pleased smile on her face.
  Marcus does have a way with women.
I think I need to ask him for some pointers. 
Jake thought sardonically.

As Marcus nodded to Norlan and left, Madalin turned to go back inside.  Jake saw that she blushed slightly when she saw Norlan looking at her with his arms crossed and a cocked eyebrow and crooked smile on his face.  Madalin went to him, laying her hand on his arm and whispering something to him that made him throw back his head and laugh.  They went back inside while Cherise released Maxis from his enclosure and they ran around in the yard.

Jake, feeling a little cooped up, went outside and joined Cherise and Maxis.  The day was still cool and cloudy, which made the exercise pleasant.  He was amused by, but did grow slightly tired of, Cherise extolling the virtues of Marcus.  He was glad that he and Marcus were no longer rivals, but it sucked a bit to get reminded of what a great guy he was. 
After all,
Jake thought to himself,
I am not all that bad a guy either. 
After a while, he claimed to be tired and returned to his room.

He climbed back into bed, sitting up with his back against the wall, and released his power.  He stared at the fall wall, lost in thoughts of Keria, Marcus and home.  He pondered on how he could possibly return to Earth, since everyone here seemed to be at a loss on what to do.  He lost track of time, with all of his focus inward.  Before he realized, it was late afternoon.  Without his power, he began to feel weak and was considering lying down for a nap before dinner when his door curtain pulled aside and Keria came into his room.  She stopped and stared at him, her beautiful face a mask of anger.

“Keria!”  Jake exclaimed as he called up his magic, sitting up straighter.  “What are you doing here?”

“How could you agree with my father’s idiotic decision?!”  She snapped, her green eyes like hard emeralds.  “And without even speaking with me?”

“Keria, I can see that you are upset.”  Jake said, softly and cautiously.  “I didn’t know how to tell you, but your father is right.  You will be Queen someday and I can’t be a king.”

“How do you know that, Jake?”  She replied, voice softer but anger still plain on her face.  “You are the most unusual boy I have ever met.  You risked your life to save me, but you wouldn’t even argue for the chance to find out with my father.”

“What could I say?”  Jake replied.  “I like you, Keria, but if a way home showed up now, I would take it.  Your father was right about that.”

“Maybe you can never go home.”  Keria said.  “Have you thought of that?”

“I think about it all the time.”  Jake stated angrily.  “Don’t you think I know that I may be stuck here?”

“Then why not accept that and stay here with me?”  Keria said gently, stepping closer.  “You have faced down and defeated demons; surely we can find a way to make my father relent if you really wanted it.”

“Look, two things.  First, I don’t know how all of the politics and noble thing works.  Second, it would not be fair to you if, out of the blue, I can go home.”  Jake said, trying to be reasonable.  “You need someone who knows the system and who will always be here.”  Jake swallowed, still not believing he was going to say this.  “Someone like Marcus.”

Keria stiffened.  “So, you are just like my father; thinking that you can select someone for me without asking whether I want that person.”  She said haughtily.  Jake could see unshed tears standing in her eyes.  “I thought you would understand that I simply want to choose my own way.”  She paused, then said directly.  “I can never hate you, Jake; you risked all for me and have suffered for it.  But I don’t think I will ever forgive you for this.”  With that, she turned and marched out the door.