A World Apart The Jake Thomas Trilogy - By Steven A. Tolle Page 0,34

gates to be closed at night. If you want to get in, you will need to be there before the sun goes down."

"Well, I'll not keep you any longer." Dominic said. "We both have long journeys. My thanks and good hunting." Dominic saluted Sir Alleon and spurred Shadow on, maintaining his salute down the line of soldiers. They returned the salute, some bowing their heads to Dominic.

Jake glanced back and saw the formation moving out as well. He turned back, gauging whether Dominic would tell him anything. He doubted it.

The rest of the day was spent riding down the highway. They passed by many other travelers as they made their way east. The traffic seemed to get more crowded the further they went. Several large crossroads intersected the highway along their route. As he looked down the crossroads, Jake could see several small towns that sprang up just a mile or so down the road.

"How come there are no towns along the highway?" Jake asked Dominic. "They all seem to be down the side roads."

"As with all things, a royal decree." Dominic replied. "The kings wanted the highway to speed commerce, as well as allow their armies to march quickly around the realm. Having towns on the highway could impede that. So, all towns and villages must be at least half a league off the highway."

Jake also noticed that, at seeming random distances, the types of trees lining the roadway would change. The large leafy trees gave way to tall evergreens which gave way to oak-like trees and back again. He asked Dominic about it.

"The whims of kings, boy. Every new king seemed to feel he could not plant the same tree as his father. So, they would pick a new tree to be planted during their reign." Dominic shook his head. "The children learn their history by remembering what tree was planted by which king. For example, these pine trees are from the reign of King Alderic. We are getting close now. You should soon be able to see the capital." Dominic turned forward, ending the conversation.

As the sun dipped lower behind them, the terrain slowly changed from relatively flat into a series of large hills. The road rose and fell with the hills. As they reached the peaks, Jake could see snow-capped mountains looming in the distance.

He asked Dominic if they were the same range he saw when he first arrived. Dominic nodded. "It is the Gray Ridges."

They traveled for a few more miles and rode up the last hill. Dominic halted Shadow at the peak, taking in the view. Jake could see at the bottom of this hill, a large valley spread out in front of them. It was bordered to the east by the Gray Ridges and the hills they were in to the west. The western hills connected with the foothills of the Gray Ridges to form a bowl at the southern end of the valley. A wide river ran down from the mountains and cut through the valley, its course traveling west-northwest. The northern part of the valley was open and seemed to go on forever.

In the late afternoon light, Jake could see that the land was dotted with farms and homesteads. The road they were on made a gray line through the green and browns of the fields. It headed straight towards the river. At its end rose a large city.

Even at this distance, Jake saw that it was surrounded on all sides by large stone walls that looked to be at least twenty to thirty feet tall. Inside the walls, a grid of streets cut through a variety of buildings: homes, businesses and others. At its center, a large castle rose. Its walls were painted white, but appeared almost golden as they caught the yellow rays of the setting sun.

"Welcome to Sanduas, boy." Dominic said as he started Shadow moving again. "Here we will find Jonas and maybe some answers."

CHAPTER EIGHT

In the reddish light of a nearly setting sun, Dominic and Jake approached the western city gate. Dominic explained that the Royal Highway originated from the western side of the city; there were other roads that traveled in different directions from the other city gates.

Jake was awed by the sight of the thick city walls. As he got closer, he could see that the walls were thirty-five to forty feet tall, made from large sections of interlocking stone, so tightly packed together that the wall almost looked like it was made from