A World Apart The Jake Thomas Trilogy - By Steven A. Tolle Page 0,46

the night. Jake hurried to catch up.

Dominic grabbed an apprentice walking in the garden, startling the young man. "Find out where Chief Cleric Jonas is and tell him he needs to come to the palace." Dominic gave him a shove. "Now, boy!" The apprentice, taking a look at Dominic's scarred face, turned and ran, calling out if anyone had seen Jonas, his nervous voice echoing off the buildings' walls.

Dominic strode down the path and headed out the gates into the street, Jake almost running to keep up. As Jake reached the street, he could see six soldiers arranged in formation, the metal of their armor and the heads of their sharp spears reflecting the torchlight. Another soldier was standing to the side, a plumed helmet cradled under his arm, looking a bit pale in the torchlight. Dominic headed straight for him.

"All right, Captain Hessel." Dominic said, voice angry, but even. "We're here. Chief Cleric Jonas was away, but a messenger has been sent to summon him."

Without waiting for a response, Dominic strode off towards the palace, Jake hurrying to catch him. Captain Hessel quickly put on his helmet, shouted an order and the soldiers ran to form a guard around Dominic and Jake. It seemed to Jake that they were under arrest.

CHAPTER TEN

With Dominic not saying anything as they made their way to the palace, Jake glanced nervously at the soldiers surrounding them, trying to get a sense of their mood. To Jake, they seemed unhappy about their task, but professional. Maybe it was their respect for Dominic; they seemed to want to be seen as dispassionate and disciplined, even Captain Hessel. Even so, it would have appeared to anyone watching them that Dominic was leading the party.

They made their way through one of the parks, torchlight illuminating the path. The palace reared in front of them, its white walls reflecting the pale light of the rising moon. The party made its way across the paved courtyard, heading for the gate that stood open in the middle of the wall. Jake could see additional guards in front of the gate.

Captain Hessel quickened his pace and reached the guards at the gate before the party. Jake heard him speak to the guards and one turned and ran back into the palace grounds. The group reached the gate and passed into the palace grounds.

Even in the torchlight, Jake could see across the open courtyard that there were large gardens of trees and flowering plants surrounding the palace. He could make out carved stone benches and statues placed within the gardens. He also saw guards posted at regular intervals around the palace, some partially hidden by the foliage.

They continued on the wide paved path that traveled up to the smooth stone stairs, which led to palace entrance. As they made their way up the stairs, Jake could see the guards at the door. Unlike the others, these guards were dressed in shining armor, each carrying a white shield on their left arm with a golden eagle painted in the center. Their long surcoats were also white, secured over their armor with a wide leather belt. From the belts, a sheathed sword hung from their hips. They also held a tall spear, its point long and sharp, in their right hand. The helmets, open-faced with a nose guard coming down from the brow area, were also shining, with a plume of white feathers topping them. Jake could tell they were ceremonial guards, but they looked like they could also fight, if need be.

The guards, looking straight ahead, did not acknowledge the group as they passed; obviously, they were expected. As they entered the palace, Jake looked around. He first noticed the polished stone floor, as his sneakers squeaked as he entered the foyer. Dominic gave him a look out of the corner of his eye, shaking his head slightly. Across the foyer were the entrances of three hallways. They headed across the foyer and entered the center hallway. The hallway was tall with an arched ceiling, walls painted golden, decorated by paintings and woven hangings, brightly lit by hundreds of candles along the walls and hanging from the ceiling. There was a thick red carpet that ran down the center of the stone floor, muffling their steps. At the end of the hall were two enormous golden doors, with two more ceremonial guards stationed before the door. Off to the right, a rotund older man with shoulder-length white hair and a short beard, dressed