A World Apart The Jake Thomas Trilogy - By Steven A. Tolle Page 0,86

your judgment about that. Just remember that asking for help is not weakness." She gave him a smile. "Let's go to the stables, Jake. I would like to see your horse." Her smile turned mischievous. "If you are nice, I may even help you clean the stalls."

As they made their way to the stables, walking at a relaxed pace, Hailyn asked Jake about his home. Surprisingly, Jake did not feel reticent to discuss his family and friends. He was sure talking about it would make him homesick, but sharing with Hailyn seemed to have the opposite effect. She was an attentive listener and asked questions when she did not grasp something. Her easy nature seemed to draw out his thoughts and he found himself sharing things that he did not intend.

"I'm not sure I understand you." Hailyn said, turning towards Jake with a confused look on her face as they walked. They were getting close to the stables. "You know that this Sabrina is seeing Donald, yet you won't step aside. Do you normally try to interfere with others' relationships? It seems especially unwise since it is clear that the girl Tina has taken an interest in you."

"I wasn't trying to interfere." Jake said defensively. He could kick himself for bringing up his predicament with Sabrina. He was caught up in his story and it had just slipped out. "It was just that I didn't know she was seeing him when I asked her out. But that is beside the point now. The fact is that she's too good for him; he's always been an arrogant ass."

"So, you seem determined to press your claim." She gave a rueful shake of her head. It was clear that she did not understand what he was trying to say. "By the way, how do you know that this Sabrina even feels the same way about you?" Jake gave a little start, remembering his father saying the same thing. "Also, perhaps she sees something in Donald that you do not. Have you thought of that?"

"Well, whatever might have been between Sabrina and me is not really an issue anymore." Jake said, trying to change the conversation. "I'm here for who knows how long, so they may be married by the time I get back." He paused for a second. "If I get back." He added, a little mournful.

Hailyn reached over and laid a hand on his arm. She tried to smile reassuringly. "Try not to worry about that, Jake. I'm confident that Master Jonas will find a way to get you home. You must be patient. Remember that you have friends here."

Jake returned the smile, grateful for the encouragement and that the subject had changed. "Enough about me. Tell me about yourself. Are you from the city? How did you become a cleric?" He asked.

"I'm not from the city; my home is in the far south." Hailyn responded. "I grew up in a small village near the border with Morison, close to the Inland Sea. My parents and sister still live there. My father has a small trading shop, mostly dealing with fish and seafood, while my mother is a seamstress. My little sister, Hanen, is almost eleven and still in school."

"Do you see them often?" Jake interrupted, a little surprised that Hailyn had no family here. "I mean, do you get breaks from your training to go home?

"I have only seen my family three times since I came to Sanduas, about four years ago." Hailyn replied, voice surprisingly calm. "The distance is great, a many days ride on horseback, so it is not practical to travel often. My family came here after I completed my first year as an apprentice." She had a sad smile, remembering. "That was the hardest time for me. I was a young girl and had never been away from my family before. The clerics were understanding and kind, but I was at that age where I wanted to be able to talk to my mother about things. After that, I went home for a week after my second year and my mother came to the city over a year ago when another family was traveling here."

Jake felt a little ashamed when he compared his homesickness to Hailyn's emotional strength. "You must think I'm a big baby, talking about how I miss my family, when I have only been away from them for a week." He said.

"Of course not, Jake." Hailyn assured him. "You are a stranger to this