and damage faded as he fed on that energy.
After the followers collapsed, drained of life, his brother headed out while Rigil turned backed towards the wagon and its occupants. They had tried to flee before the battle, but were found by the followers outside of the city two days ago. He made his way over to them, ignoring the reaction from the horses, which shied away and whinnied in fear. He looked at the occupants, seeing the terror in their eyes.
"You will help me track the boy and find a way to capture him. I will not tolerate another failure." He said in a tone that brooked no arguments.
Martis and his men bowed in acknowledgment.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When Jake woke, sunlight was streaming through the window and outlining the doorway. He stretched and slowly got to his feet, feeling groggy. He had dreamed over and over again of charging down at the half-men, feeling his sword impact and the men fall as he fought his way to Cherise, his desperate fight with the last half-man, ending each time with that blinding flash of light.
Last night, he had only felt relief that Cherise was free. Now, he was unsure on how he truly felt about what happened. He had never killed anything before. He would do it over again to save Cherise, he told himself, but wrestled with the fact that he killed those men. They were evil, Jake knew, but still men. He was most troubled by that fact, given what they had done, the deaths and injuries they caused, he was not even sure if he was that upset about it.
Shaking his head, trying to clear out those thoughts, he decided to get dressed. Looking around, he saw that his armor and sword were stacked neatly next to the fireplace, the metal spotless. Obviously, someone had cleaned his equipment for him. He finished dressing, put on his armor and sword and went outside.
As he pulled the curtain back, he was struck by a strong floral scent. Around his room on the patio, he saw dozens of potted flowers. "What the hell?" He thought to himself, as he looked around. These were not here last night.
He decided to take a walk to clear his head before he went inside, so he made his way to the side yard. On the steps to the house, he saw Jonas and Norlan sitting and talking quietly. Jonas saw Jake first and waved him over. As Jake approached, he noticed that Shadow and Dontas were gone. The men stood as Jake came over to them.
"How are you feeling today, Jake?" Jonas asked with a warm smile, staff cradled in the crook of his arm. Norlan reached over and laid a hand on Jake's shoulder.
"I feel fine, Jonas, but am still a little tired." Jake replied, then added. "I'm trying to sort out what happened last night." He gestured back towards his room. "What is with the flowers?"
"Gifts from the neighborhood to honor your heroic deed, Jake." Norlan replied, pride shining in his eyes. He seemed more his old self this morning. "Word has spread of your brave pursuit and rescue of Cherise."
Jake blushed slightly at the praise. He was not used to being called brave or heroic. "I don't know about heroic. I just did what needed to be done." He said quietly.
Jonas laughed softly. "That is usually what most heroes say, Jake." He looked at Jake, face turning serious. "Don't discount your bravery. Not many would have done what you did, pursuing a group of half-men, alone and at night." Norlan nodded at that comment, giving Jake's shoulder a squeeze.
"Where are the horses?" Jake asked, feeling better with the praise, but wanting to change the subject.
"Dominic took them back to the stables early this morning." Jonas replied. "He will make sure they are fed and cared for. He also needs his rest, so the remainder of the day is yours."
"How is Cherise doing, Norlan?" Jake asked quietly.
Norlan frowned and shook his head slightly. "Brother Jonas looked at her this morning. Physically, she is fine, but, emotionally, she is still fragile. She is frightened to leave her room."
"That should past with time, love and support." Jonas said sympathetically. "She is a young girl after all and went through a traumatic event."
"I should go look in on her." Norlan said, turning around and heading into the house.
Jake moved to follow, but Jonas raised a hand. "Wait a moment, Jake. I would like to speak to you. Why