A World Apart The Jake Thomas Trilogy - By Steven A. Tolle Page 0,134

"You have taken the first step."

Jake opened his eyes and saw a faint glimmering of blue surrounding him.

...

Later that evening, in the foothills to the southwest, the demon call Rigil waited impatiently for Martis' men to return from their mission. He had sent them ahead on horses to scout out this Numaria for any signs of the boy, while the wagon came after.

It had been the second day after the boy left Sanduas when they found out about it. Martis had come back to inform him that the boy and Dominic had left to the north. While Rigil rode in the wagon's secret compartment, Martis had driven his team hard, verifying that their quarry had spent the night at the waystation.

It took them another day heading north to realize that they were following a false trail. There had not been sightings of the boy or Dominic at any points north of the waystation. That had to mean they went off cross-country. The question had been to where. After looking at the map, Rigil was certain that they were headed to the Keep of Tomaris. There was no other place that could provide the protection they needed but there.

Rigil was strangely hesitant to pursue them there. There had long been whispers that this Tomaris was more powerful than any of the clerics that opposed them. The demon lord he served had sent some of his brothers and followers to determine who Tomaris was, if he was indeed powerful, and kill him if they had an opportunity. None had returned from that mission.

However much he was concerned about facing this Tomaris, he knew that his lord would never allow him to survive failure. So, he pressed Martis and his men to continue, not allowing them to stop.

He shook off those thoughts and hissed over his shoulder. "If those fools do not return shortly, you will pay the price, Martis."

"I know they will return, Master." Martis said rapidly, his nervous voice carrying his fear. "Please give them..." His voice cut off.

Rigil spun to see what had stopped Martis. Across the clearing, Martis was frozen, partway to his feet, a hand reaching beseechingly towards Rigil, locked in some stasis. Rigil reached for his power, but was already too late as everything exploded in light and he was taken.

"...more time!" Martis came to halt as he faced an empty clearing. He felt an icy cold stab of terror. One moment the demon was there, the next it was gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

A few days after Jake was able to call up his power, Tomaris informed Dominic and Jake that he was sending a messenger to Jonas to let him know that they had arrived safely and of Jake's success; if they had any letters, they could send it with his messenger.

Jake had borrowed parchment and pen to write to Madalin and Hailyn and reassure them that he was fine. He was debating writing Keria, sitting at the small desk in his room, when Dominic came in.

"Do you have your messages ready?" Dominic asked, a sealed parchment in his hand. "I was instructed to give them to Moshanna tonight, so the messenger can leave at first light."

"I have the letters to Madalin and Hailyn ready." Jake said, pointing at the two letters. He hesitated a moment, then tapped the blank page. "I was thinking of sending one to Keria."

"Have you decided that you never want see Sanduas again, boy?" Dominic asked sarcastically, a slight smile playing along his lips. "I thought you had better sense than that. The king told you to stay away from her. Here is a little advice: when a father tells you to stay away from his daughter, the last thing you want is for him to find a love letter. You might as well just walk up and slap him across the face." He shook his head. "Not something you want to do to anyone, but especially not to a king. They are used to getting their way. I don't think you would enjoy the dungeons in Sanduas."

"Well, that's why I haven't written it." Jake said, blushing furiously.

"Jonas will make sure the princess knows you are still alive." Dominic replied, reaching over to take the other letters. He went to the door, turning his head back as he opened it. "I suggest that you focus on training, boy. The sooner you master this power, the sooner we can return to the city."

A few days later as he stood in Tomaris' study, Jake was