Sword of Light (10 page)

Jake sat back and watched as Keria engaged Cherise and Madalin in conversation.   Cherise soon forgot about her father’s rebuke, talking and laughing with Keria.  After some last words, Keria turned back to Jake.

“How are you feeling, Jake?”  She asked quietly, his blue aura reflecting in her eyes.  “You seem to be able to move around fairly well.”

“I’m ok.”  Jake replied.  “I still get tired pretty quickly, but other than that, I am doing fine.”

“You mustn’t tax yourself, Jake.”  Keria said seriously.  “I do not want to see you harm yourself further.  Getting plenty of rest seems best course until Brother Jonas returns.”

“I’m not hurting for sleep or rest, I can assure you.”  Jake said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.  He did not want to upset Keria, but he was getting a little tired of being surrounded by women who want to mother him.  He did not need any more reminders of his condition.

“That is good.”  Keria stated.  She glanced back over at her father, who motioned for her to return.  She stood, smiling at Jake.  “I will try to come back in a little while.”  With a nod to the rest of the table, she left, walking back to her table.

Jake stared after her, admiring her form, then sighed wistfully. 
What am I going to do about her?  How do I make things right with him?
  He thought as he glanced across the room at Marcus.  Shaking his head, he saw a sympathetic look in Madalin’s eyes when he gazed in her direction.  He gave her a slight smile and a shrug of his shoulders.  He shifted on the bench, trying to get comfortable, then sat there lost in thought, staring at the torches on the far wall, until the king stood and spoke again.

“Let the music and dancing begin.”  The king said, signaling at the musicians in the corner of the hall.  Servants came and moved some tables to open up a large space in the middle of the hall.  Once the area was cleared, the musicians began to play.

Jake watched as the king and Keria went out and danced, an intricate and formal type of dance.  As the dance ended and Keria kissed her father on the cheek, the hall erupted in applause.  Smiling, the king gestured for others of join them.  Couples began to move to the dance area as the musician began another melody.  Jake saw Marcus approach Keria, clearly asking for a dance.  She smiled and nodded and Marcus led her out to the dance area.

Jake watched it with some mixed feelings.  While he would love to dance with Keria, he did not know the steps and his strength might not last long enough.  So, he consigned himself to simply watch, his gaze on Keria as she danced and laughed with Marcus.

His attention was suddenly drawn away when he saw Rolas approaching his table, a tankard in his hand.  Jake could tell that he had been drinking heavily, his step slightly unsteady.

“Why they let you in I will never know.”  Rolas said harshly as he stopped next to the table.  Jake could see anger on his face.  “It is bad enough that they are fawning over my dear brother.”  He spat.  He looked Jake up and down, a cruel smile on his lips, and sneered.  “You are no better than a jumped-up peasant.”

“There is no need for this, my lord.”  Norlan began, rising slightly.  “Jake is here at the invitation of the king.  Perhaps you should return to-“

“Was I speaking to you, smith?”  Rolas snarled, staring at Norlan.  “You and your family are not much better.”

Jake felt anger course through him as he saw Norlan bite back a reply and sit down, fists clenched, the others at the table looking uncomfortable, with Madalin concerned and Cherise looking scared and hurt.  Before he knew what he was doing, Jake surged to his feet.

“Back away, asshole.”  Jake said through gritted teeth.

“Are you going to make me?”  Rolas said ominously as he set his tankard on the table and his other hand drifted towards his sword.  “Perhaps you think you are my equal.”

Jake stared back, deliberately crossing his arms across his chest, anger keeping him from backing down, but a trickle of fear wormed its way into his thoughts.  He was in no condition to fight and Rolas had years of experience on him.

“Rolas!”  Jake heard Marcus’ voice cut through the music, low but direct.  Jake saw him coming over from the dance area.  “What do you think you are doing?”  Marcus asked, face tight, as he confronted his brother.

“None of your concern,
Sir
Marcus.”  Rolas snapped, contemptuous.  He stepped back and turned to face Marcus.  “Does your little friend need you to protect him?”  He barked a short, sharp laugh.  “You always have had a soft spot for those beneath us.”

Marcus’ face went flat, but before he could reply, Lady Arelia unexpectedly appeared, with Captain Justian at her side.  “Rolas, you will remove yourself to our quarters.  You have had too much ale for your own good.”  She said, voice cool.

“I am a grown man, Mother.”  Rolas said, a look of defiance on his face.  “I will go when I please.”

“You will leave now or I will have Captain Justian drag you from this hall like a common criminal.”  She replied, her voice now ice, eyes hard.

Jake watched as Rolas glared at his mother, jaw muscles clenching and unclenching, weighing defiance.  Lady Arelia simply retuned that stare, eyes like dark stones.

“As you wish, Mother.”  Rolas finally said.  He pushed past Marcus, who let him go.  At Lady Arelia’s whispered instruction, Justian followed Rolas out of the hall.

“Introduce me, my son.”  Arelia said to Marcus, indicating Norlan and his family.

“Mother, this is Mastersmith Norlan, his wife Mistress Madalin and their daughter, Cherise.”  Marcus told his mother.

“Master Norlan, please accept my apologies for the boorish behavior of my son.”  Arelia said, voice calm and level.  “I will see that he is suitably punished.”

“Thank you, my lady.”   Norlan replied, voice steady, but Jake could still see some anger in his eyes.

“Do not worry, lovely child.”  Arelia said to Cherise.  She knelt down next to Cherise and cupped her chin in her hand.  “You will find that men often act foolishly.  You must not allow that to ruin your enjoyment of a lovely party.”  She looked up at Marcus.  “Surely you can assist her in this, my son.”

“Yes, Mother.”  Marcus replied.

“Again, my apologies.”  Arelia said as she stood.  She looked over at Jake.  “To you as well, Jake Thomas.”

Jake was decidedly uncomfortable with the way Lady Arelia was looking at him, her eyes studying him.  He felt like he was puzzle that she could not figure out.  He bowed his head, breaking the stare.  “Nothing to forgive, my lady.”  Jake said properly.

Arelia stared at Jake for another moment, then turned and left the hall, going to the door through which Rolas had departed.

“May I have this dance, Cherise?”  Marcus asked formally, bowing slightly and taking her hand.  Cherise, a large smile on her face, nodded happily, drama forgotten.  Marcus escorted her to the dance area.

Jake sat back down, drinking some water and watching Marcus and Cherise dance, Cherise’s face alight with joy.  When the music paused, Marcus motioned for a blond-haired young man in Royal Guard finery to come over, introduced him to Cherise, and left them to dance.  He came back over to Jake’s table.

“With your permission, Master Norlan, may I have this dance with your wife?”  Marcus said, holding out his hand to Madalin.  With a pleased smile, Madalin took his hand and they were soon dancing near Cherise.

Norlan leaned over to Jake.  “While I appreciate what you did, Jake, you must be careful with these nobles.”  He said quietly.  “Don’t let your sense of honor get you into a situation that will only end badly.”  He patted him on the shoulder and returned to watching his wife and daughter dance.

After Madalin finished her dance, she came back over to the table while Cherise continued to dance, again with Marcus.  With a smile, Madalin gestured at Norlan.  “Come, husband.”  She said lightly.  “You will not get away with just sitting there.  We have to dance.”  She glanced at Jake.  “Will you be alright by yourself, Jake?”

“I will be fine.”  Jake replied, nudging Norlan to stand up.  “Have fun.”

While Jake was sitting and watching the dances, losing himself in the music, a servant came up to him and spoke.  “The king requests your presence at his table.”

Frowning slightly as he wondered what this was about, Jake nodded and stood up.  He made his way over to the king’s table.  Keria’s chair was empty, as she was out dancing.

“You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?”  Jake asked politely.

“Yes, Jake.”  The king replied.  He gestured at Keria’s chair.  “Please sit.”

Once Jake was sitting, the king leaned over and spoke quietly.  “Is there not any reward that I can give you for your role in freeing Keria?”

Jake thought about asking to see Keria, his gaze drifting over towards her, where she was dancing with Marcus, smiling and laughing.  Before he could speak, the king followed his gaze and shook his head.

“My prohibition still stands, Jake.”  The king said firmly, though his eyes were sympathetic.  “Keria has a responsibility to the kingdom.  She will be a queen someday and she has to marry someone who can stand beside her, challenge her privately when needed, and lead this nation.”  He paused, then asked.  “Do you wish to be a king, Jake?”

“King? Me?!”  Jake exclaimed.  The idea seemed so outlandish that he almost laughed.

“If you do not wish to be a king, then why pursue Keria?”  The king pressed, face serious.  “Besides the fact that you are a stranger and the nobles would not accept you, if a way was found to return you to your world, would you forswear your home and family to remain here?”

Jake was caught off-guard by the question.  He was embarrassed that he had not thought about it that way.  He thought of his family and friends and of all the familiar things of home.  He finally shook his head, saying quietly.  “No.  I would go home.”

“Jake, I recognize that Keria is a beautiful young woman.”  The king said kindly.  “When I was a young man around your age, I pursued a beautiful woman, only to have her become unattainable.  However, in spite of what I thought was a devastating blow, I met and fell in love with Keria’s mother.  I consider myself to be a lucky man for it.”  He paused.  “Do you understand what I am trying to say here?”

“I think so, Your Majesty.”  Jake said, unable to keep the disappointment out of his voice.  He gazed longingly at Keria, savoring her beauty, but, with a sinking feeling in his chest, knew the king was right.  It would not be fair to Keria for this to continue, especially if he could find a way home. 
Maybe I can at least do something right. 
He thought as an idea came to him.

“As to my reward, I would ask that you consider Marcus for Keria.”  Jake said haltingly, feeling this was the toughest thing he had ever done.  “He is in love with her.”

The king looked over at Marcus, a slight frown on his face.  “I cannot promise you that, Jake.”  He said, sighing heavily.  “He may be good for her and I acknowledge his feelings for her, but I must also consider the wishes of the royal council, which is often driven by politics and position.”

The king held out his hand.  “I know that this is not what you had hoped for, Jake.  I hope that a way can be found to send you back to your rightful world.  When you return there, I hope you will think kindly of me.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”  Jake said respectfully, shaking the king’s hand.  “To be honest, I have been treated better here than I had any right to expect.”

“I will let you get back to the celebrations.”  The king said.  “Enjoy the night.”

Jake nodded and went back over to his table.  He could not bring himself to look over at Keria as he passed the dance area.  Norlan was sitting at the table, sipping some wine.  He noticed the look on Jake’s face.

“What happened?”  He asked, concern in his voice.  “You look like you got some really bad news.”

“I’m fine, Norlan.”  Jake said.  “I’m just tired.  I think I will have the carriage take me back to the house.”

“Let me get Madalin and Cherise and we can leave.”  Norlan said, standing.

Jake saw Cherise dancing with a boy about her age, smiling and clearly enjoying herself.  Madalin was dancing with the blond-haired young man, laughing at something he said.  “No, Norlan.”  Jake said.  “Let them enjoy the party.  I can make it home by myself.”

“Are you sure?”  Norlan asked.

“Yeah.” Jake said.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll be fine.”

Jake slowly made his way to the exit, his mind distant as he considered what had just happened.  The grooms quickly had the carriage brought around and Jake gratefully climbed in.  He stared out of the window, watching the city pass by, the sounds of the carriage echoing off the nearby buildings as it wove its way back to Norlan’s.

Jake thanked the driver after he had stepped down from the carriage, the main gate to the house only a few feet away.  Jake made his way into the yard as the carriage left to return to the palace.  He went over to Maxis’ enclosure and let the dog out.  Maxis seemed to sense Jake’s mood, staying calm and remaining close to him.  Jake went to his room, Maxis curling up at the foot of the bed while Jake removed and hung his swordbelt on the wall.  Jake quickly undressed and climbed into bed.  He thought about Keria and what the king had said.  He released his magic, hoping that he would quickly drift off to sleep.

Instead, his emotions and thoughts continued to roil.  He tried to calm his mind, but sleep was a long time in coming.

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN

Jake awoke at the light knock on the door.  He called up his magic and shifted into a seated position just as Norlan entered his room.  Norlan looked like he was somewhat unwell, with a slight pallor to his face and some bags under his eyes.

“Good morning, Jake.”  Norlan said pleasantly, despite his condition.  “Are you able to join us for the morning meal or should I have Madalin bring you some food?”

“I will come inside, Norlan.”  Jake replied.  He gestured towards Norlan.  “Are you feeling well?  You look a bit under the weather.”