pulled Dontas to a stop, staring at the entrance to the tavern, the soldiers behind him doing the same. That white-haired older man had been looking right at him. He knew beyond a doubt that the man was the same one he had seen in Sanduas. He had a familiar look about him that tickled some memory of Jake's, but he could still not place him.
Dominic, glancing back, noticed that he had stopped. "What is it?" He asked, looking around. Deepwood also halted and signaled his men to do the same.
Jake rode over to Dominic and pointed at the tavern. "I think I just saw the same white-haired man that was staring at me in Sanduas." As Dominic looked over and gripped his sword, a dangerous look on his face, the image seemed to connect the dots and triggered Jake's memory.
"It was the merchant!" He said excitedly. "The one we met on the way to Sanduas. I knew he looked familiar! I can't believe I didn't place him before. I glanced over and he was standing there, looking right at me. As soon as he saw that I noticed, he turned and ran back inside."
Dominic was out of his saddle in an instant. "Stay here" was all he said as he headed into the tavern, Deepwood right behind. They were inside for a few minutes, then came back out.
Dominic came over to Jake while Deepwood motioned for a couple of soldiers to dismount. "A white-haired man and two others ran out of the back entrance of the tavern. I went out back, but they were gone." Dominic said. "Moshanna is going to leave a couple of soldiers to get descriptions of the men from the other patrons and then have the town watch search for them."
Dominic and Deepwood climbed back on their horses, starting the group back into motion. Dominic rode next to Jake, his gaze watching for any threat. They reached the soldiers' barracks without incident. Jake and Dominic followed Deepwood inside. They were seated at a table and water was brought for them while Deepwood met with his officers in another room.
After he was finished, they headed back towards the town gate. Both Dominic and Deepwood rode close to Jake as they made their way through the crowds. They cleared the town without incident and headed back to the Keep. Jake turned around to look at the town, wondering if he would ever be able to go somewhere without feeling like someone was after him.
A couple of days later, Jake was taking a break in his training with Dominic when Deepwood came to update them. "My men and the town watch searched the entire town, but found no trace of the men. It is likely that they escaped right after Jake saw the old man. The gates guards remember a fat man riding by on a wagon, but he was alone. They sent out a patrol to see if they could find him, but had no luck. They will arrest any of the men if they return."
"Thank you, Moshanna." Dominic said, standing with his arms crossed. "If you can get the descriptions for me, I will send them to Sanduas with the next messenger."
"Of course, Dominic." Deepwood replied. He patted Jake on the shoulder. "Do not fear, Jake. You are safe enough here. All of my soldiers were given descriptions of these men. They would have to be complete fools to try to enter here."
"Thank you, Captain Deepwood." Jake replied, still uneasy about the fact that these men were out there.
...
Over the next few weeks, those concerns dropped away as he continued to train. Dominic used the incident to emphasize the need to stay focused and pushed Jake harder. Tomaris had been concerned when told about the incident in Numaria, but reassured Jake of his safety at the Keep.
"While I am here, there is no enemy that can reach you, Jake." Tomaris had said firmly.
One day, Jake was sparring with one of the soldiers, a younger man only a few years older, when he twisted his knee trying to avoid a blow. He felt something pop and then pain started shooting up his leg. He waved off his opponent and hopped over to one of the posts that made up the edge of the training area, gritting his teeth and cursing under his breath.
As Jake leaned against the post, Dominic came over and knelt down next to him, feeling along the knee. Jake winced as Dominic pushed down