A World Apart The Jake Thomas Trilogy - By Steven A. Tolle Page 0,50

with the Mastersmith."

Jake flushed bright red, aghast as he realized that she smelled his body odor.

"Forgive the boy, Princess." Dominic said, voice sounding apologetic. "We have not had the time to seek the baths since arriving. He has had some adventure coming to us, leaving no time to properly bathe. I will make sure he is presentable, the next time you meet."

The princess laughed and said. "If he has been having adventures, then he smells like he should."

The king gestured and his herald rapped his staff on the floor again. Everyone turned to face the king again. The princess gave Jake's hand a squeeze. "We shall speak again, Jake." She turned and went back to her seat.

The king spoke. "After hearing Brother Jonas' reasoning, I will entertain him, and my council, in a private audience. Dominic, Jonas has said that he can speak for you in this meeting if you wish to leave." Dominic nodded his accent.

The king turned to Jake. "Jake, I understand that you have had a long journey. Please accompany Mastersmith Norlan to his home, so you can rest. I am sure that Brother Jonas will speak with you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jake said.

The king rose from his seat. "This audience is at an end. My council will meet in the council chambers immediately." He turned and headed for the double doors, Jonas walking next to him. Bows and curtsies followed him as he left the room.

"Come on, boy." Dominic said, as he turned with Norlan and headed for the exit. Jake fell in behind Dominic and Norlan, still feeling the eyes of many of the people following him. They made their way outside of the palace walls and into the courtyard. The turned and followed the palace wall toward the north, then turned right and headed away from the temple.

Dominic saw Jake's look as they changed direction. "Norlan lives in the River Quarter." He turned to Norlan. "Are the baths near the wall still open?"

"Yes, Dominic." The mastersmith replied. "They should be open for another hour or so."

"I will take the boy there, so he will not stink you out of house and home." Jake flushed angrily at that, but did not say anything. "I probably could use a bath as well." Dominic admitted. "After the bath, I will bring him to your home."

"As you see fit, Dominic." Norlan leaned over to Jake. "I look forward to getting to know you, Jake. I will go and make sure your room is ready." He gave Jake a reassuring smile and headed off.

Dominic and Jake wove through the streets as they made their way to the baths. With the streets only lit by torches, it became impossible for Jake to remember the path back. Jake was surprised by the number of people making their way down the paved streets. He tried to take in the surroundings as they walked.

Dominic set a quick pace and Jake soon found himself in front of a large single-story stone building with a set of wooden doors in the middle, the city wall towering over the rear of the building. There was a sign over the doors with what looked like a waterfall painted on it.

Dominic strode up to the door and went in, Jake following. As they entered, Jake could smell that slight musty odor that accompanies damp places. The room they entered was lit by several torches and had stone chairs lining one wall. There was an opening on the back wall, from which Jake could hear the faint sound of running water. There was a stone desk with a man sitting behind it, looking bored. He brightened when he saw Dominic and Jake enter and came over to them.

"Good evening, good sir. What would you like tonight?" He asked, smiling and trying to be helpful.

"Baths for both, as well as robes and sandals." Dominic replied, indicating Jake and himself.

"That will be a total of twelve silvers. Five silvers each for the robes and sandals and one silver each for the bath." The man said, his eyes bright at the thought of a sale.

Dominic opened a pouch on his belt and pulled out a gold piece. The man went back to the desk and made change, returning it to Dominic. He motioned them to follow and he led them through the opening and down a flight of stone stairs. At the bottom, there was a short hallway with an opening on either side, both covered with a curtain. He led