This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to the Protector of the Small series, any of its characters belong to Tamora Pierce… Much to my disappointment. This goes AU about midway from the book Page. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it. This is mostly centered on Joren. This is also a slow build Kel/Joren.
Winter 457/458
When the Progress finally returned to the palace, it was just before the start of midwinter. Joren was in a way both terrified and relieved that the time had finally come. He knew well that these could easily be his last days alive. Neal and Cleon had both shown him a great deal of sympathy, understanding his fears. That said, they were also less worried than he thought they should be over the matter. Neal made a bit of sense, since he had a couple of years before he reached his ordeal. Cleon, Joren could only assume, was more at ease because he had no potential premonition of his death during the Ordeal hanging over his head.
"Think of it this way. At least you don't have to go first or last. That would be uncomfortable," Cleon commented, his was the first night of Midwinter. "Though, to be fair. I have no time to really get worked up about it."
Kel, Joren and Neal spent the day with Cleon to help him remain calm. Lord Raoul was helping Kel's brother with Cleon's instructions during the bath. They visited Raven Armory and Joren nodded subtly at one of the smiths while Cleon commented wistfully about his wish to have one of the swords. He remarked that it was too expensive though and commented on how maybe if he was a good enough knight for the crown, he might earn a purse big enough to buy one.
Joren felt slightly smug over his Midwinter gift to his first real friend besides Zahir. The sword he had commissioned for Cleon had already been handed over to the Lady of Kennan to be presented to him after he was knighted. It was a congratulatory and midwinter gift that he had no intention of allowing Cleon to reject. His friend had pushed him to move to admit his feeling to Kel sooner and he would be forever grateful for the time he has had so far, even if he doesn't survive his ordeal. It was the least he could do for such a true friend.
They headed back to the palace as the sky began to darken. Joren was a bit relieved that there would be no formal parties this year, too many people were sick of it due to the excess during the Progress that would continue all too soon. They parted ways with Cleon once they reached the palace and Joren and Kel kept each other company until Raoul returned from giving the instructions. They were joined a short while later by Prince Roald, Princess Shinko, Inness, Buri, Neal, Yuki, Jerel of Nenan, who was Garvey's knight-master, and Owen.
Everyone had brought food and they talked late into the night. Once everyone else had left, Joren reluctantly kissed Kel good night, a long, sound kiss before slowly pulling away and leaving her to get what little sleep she could. The late night didn't prevent Joren from waking early and going to the Chapel of Ordeal, holding Kel's hand as they waited for the door to open. Kel seemed more nervous than Joren so he was happy to provide what comfort he could. He had to hide his smile at the sparrows in her lap. It was just like Kel to seek hidden comfort in her animals.
When the door opened with a clank, Inness hurried forward and caught Cleon as he waivered on his way out of the chamber. Joren was unsettled by the sight before him. Cleon had a good strong character, always stood by what was right. He looked like he had been through the gauntlet, pale, sweaty and shaking. Joren knew that Cleon had always stood a better chance than him. He could only pray to survive it himself, even if he was a little worse for the wear.
Cleon was knighted at sunset. As Joren expected, he had attempted to refuse the sword that Joren had given him on the grounds it was too expensive. Joren had reminded him that he would need the very best if he was going to bring Kennan to new heights. Cleon gave him a weak glare before reluctantly accepting the sword and hugging Joren awkwardly.
That night, Joren and Sir Paxton were invited to a small party held by Lord Raoul, on the grounds that they were more fun than the formal stuffy ones. Joren had happily accepted, relieved to escape the reminder that that night Vinson was going through his Ordeal. Joren slipped into Kel's room during the party, hoping she would follow, and he could have a few minutes of privacy with her. She did, and he gave her a fierce hug and some heavy kissing. Joren did stop when it became a little too impassioned though and with good timing as Jump, Kel's dog, nudged the door open further. He gave her one last light kiss before returning to the party.
In the morning, Joren woke before dawn and debated going to the Chapel. He eventually decided against it, knowing that if something were to happen, word would go through the palace at lightning speed. He was right too. Before he could even go to breakfast, Sir Paxton came for him and told him that Vinson had asked for an audience with Turomot present.
Joren sighed, having some inkling of what could be to come. He was already dressed, so they went immediately to the Great Throne Room. A tired looking Kel and Raoul joined them a short while later. Kel's parents were already nearby and Kel's former maid was there as well. Shortly after this, the King, Queen and their two eldest children entered from a door behind the dais. Joren and Kel both looked over to where Vinson's family and knight-master stood. Garvey was nearby but didn't seem willing to stand with them. Joren rose an eyebrow at this but realized Garvey was likely distancing himself from a potential scandal. The Genlith name was already on shaky grounds after what had been revealed of Vinson's uncle and the family was in danger of financial ruin as well.
The Monarchs sat, Turomot of Wellam nodded to the guards and Vinson was announced, though not even before the herald finished, Vinson had rushed into the room and collapsed before the dais. The squire was openly crying and still wore the clothing from his vigil. This had Joren visibly shaken. Vinson looked like he had been beaten brutally. Even as he knelt before the monarchs, more bruises appeared along his visible skin.
"I have a confession! I must-confess. I confess. Two years ago, there-there was trouble in the Lower City. Two-two slum wenches, no better than- NO!" Vinson paused, looking as if he were defending himself against an invisible attacker. "No! I meant, two girls of the Lower City were attacked, beaten. A third was- must I say it? A third was beaten and raped. I did it. Sir Nualt had no knowledge. None. He'd have denounced me if he'd known. I didn't- the women made me angry. They're teases, leading a man…"
Vinson collapsed to the ground with a scream, marks appearing and fading across his skin. The King reached out with his magic, it falling over Vinson before speaking, "He tells the truth."
"Tell the Chamber I confessed," Vinson begged, raising his face. "Tell it I did what it wanted me to. Make it let me go! Make it stop hurting me!"
The Queen's voice and face were hard as she spoke, "The Chamber is commanded by no one, Vinson of Genlith. It will release you as it chooses."
At this point, Duke Turomot came forward and ordered guards to take Vinson away and then addressed his family. The Genlith family bowed and curtsied before hurrying after the guards taking Vinson away. Joren glanced at Kel and saw that she was conflicted before she ran off. Joren wanted to follow but was held back by Sir Paxton. The man insisted Joren write a written statement for the courts of what he had witnessed. Joren reluctantly did so, omitting that Lalasa was the maid attacked. He would admit it to Turomot in person if necessary but only in private.
When he finished writing the statement as quickly as possible, Joren went to seek Kel out. She wasn't in her rooms, maids who had been cleaning there informed him that she had come and gone, dressed warmly and left holding a funny looking bow. This was enough information to have him retrieving a coat of his own and headed for the archery yard. He met Buri on his way there.
The woman nodded to him and followed him without a word as they reached the edge of the archery field. Kel was indeed shooting an odd-looking long bow. Buri was the one to speak though, "When one of my Riders said there was a crazy woman out here with a stripy bow, I thought he was pulling a fool's gambit on his old commander. I thought only our Yamani lilies shot those things."
"I used to," Kel answered, looking at them both finally.
"I don't see how they can ride without the horses tripping over the bow," Buri climbed over the fence. "When will you try out recurves? You won't want a longbow after that."
"Once we're on progress, maybe," Kel offered weakly. "I just wanted to get out."
"What's wrong?" When the woman asked, Joren grimaced, knowing exactly what upset Kel. "You walked out of that throne room as if you'd seen your death."
Kel looked reluctant to speak, "I don't think I can say." She glanced at Joren who walked over and hugged her around the shoulder in support.
"Sure you can," Buri contradicted. "Leave out names if you like, though anyone who knows you can tell it has to do with Lalasa. He attacked her, didn't he?"
Joren raised an eyebrow at Buri hitting the nail on the head. The whole story came out then. Kel even explained how Joren had offered to report Vinson in a roundabout way which earned him an approving nod from Buri. Buri got Kel to calm by trying Kel's bow before unstringing it and put the arrows away. She then dragged Kel and Joren to the Rider mess.
The older woman retrieved drinks for them both after sitting them at an empty table. The mess wasn't very full, and most of those present weren't fully awake. When Buri returned with a tray of hot cider, Joren was a little relieved, Kel's hands were like ice. Joren and Kel drank, Kel slowly thawing out from the heat of the drink, to Joren's relief.
Buri finally decided to set Kel straight on the views of most of the court, "Were you not listening when they told you that a noble who kidnapped a maid only owed a fine? The mistress of chambermaids used to call the palace cleaning women 'sluts.' Thayet made her stop, but it's coppers to a Midwinter bun that she still does, and that any maid who tells her majesty will lose her place." Buri shoved a Midwinter bun in front of each of them before starting on one herself.
"You're an idealist, Kel. I've noticed that about you. See, I try to beat idealism out of Rider trainees. It just ruins their ability to give a fair report. So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world," Buri finished bluntly.
"I don't accept that," Kel's grim expression couldn't stop Joren from smiling a little. It was so like Kel to have facts shoved in her face and still rebel against them. He was pretty certain it was part of what made him love her. Her stubbornness had, in a way, broken his arrogance even more than Kyprioth could.
Joren was just as startled by Buri's response as Kel was though, "I didn't say you should. Three nights a week, your Lalasa closes her shop early. She teaches city girls- commoners- holds, blows and kicks that will help them to escape attackers. She learned that somewhere. It does those girls more good than you courting frostbite to shoot a bow you don't even like. There's now a demand for arms teachers for young noblewomen. Seven female Riders this year asked me for references to get them such posts. I might also remind you that a particular law is being revised right now because you had the nerve to tell King Jonathan that it should be changed."
"We still should have reported Vinson directly to the Temple of the Goddess," Kel remarked stubbornly.
"Very well, you should have. Next time you will. And just remember, no court in the land could put him through what he did to those girls. The Chamber did. I've seen the marks of beatings. The Chamber is making him feel every blow, kick and punch he doled out. I bet it will even continue for a while," Buri paused to eat a second bun. "The world is imperfect, Kel. But you are doing more than your fair share to set it right. Next time report it. Even if nothing is done because the one reported is too powerful, a record will be made. When he does it again, the record will show he won't stop."
"To be fair. There already was a record of sorts. Lord Wyldon couldn't do anything about it," Joren pointed out.
"Then stop wallowing in guilt. You take chivalry too seriously. Just like Raoul. It's sweet in an impractical way," Buri scolded gently.
Kel let Joren take her away from the mess, a little less upset now. That night was the longest night of the year. There was another small gathering held in Raoul's rooms that Joren attended. In the morning, the group of friends rose early and went to the Chapel. The king and queen were already present and holding hands. Roald was greeted with cheers as he exited the Chamber.
Joren smiled as he went back to his rooms afterwards, knowing that his present would be received with full knowledge of who sent it this year, Kel having figured him out during the Progress. He smiled at the feathers she had given him with a note that they were to keep him honest. A short while later a knock on the door, revealed Kel herself, she immediately kissed him.
"Thank you for the cleaning gear for my glaive. I appreciate it," Kel smiled at him.
Joren winked at her softly before replying, "Well, I did consider getting you a new glaive, but I suspected that if I did, you might spear me through with it."
That earned him a playful slap on the arm and another kiss. He indulged in the kisses before pulling away a little and looking at her with complete seriousness, "Well, since your present was intended to keep me completely honest. I think there is something I need to tell you, Lady Squire Keladry."
Kel eyed him wearily but nodded for him to continue, "As you know, if I survive my Ordeal, I will not only be a Knight of the Realm but also, Lord of Stone Mountain. As Lord of Stone Mountain, it would be my duty to eventually provide Stone Mountain with a Lady and heir."
Joren paused at her panicked expression, "Calm down, this isn't a proposal. Not yet at least. I would never deny you the opportunity to gain your knighthood and all that it stands for. I… well I suppose I just wanted to inform you, in no uncertain terms, that I love you. No pressure. Just to let you know that I love you and that, one day, after you have your knighthood, I do hope to marry you. Please don't run screaming now." Joren looked pathetically at her.
Kel's expression was one that was confused and slightly panicked still. Once she had enough time to process what he was saying she offered a weak smile, "I love you too. At least, I think I do. Thank you for the… warning I suppose… of your intentions."
Joren smiled brightly at that and kissed her deeply. They spent the afternoon walking in the city, just a quiet day away from their friends. Joren's Ordeal was that night and he was beginning to feel true fear at the idea. Kel informed him that she would be spending the evening with her Yamani friends as Raoul was attending a family event with Buri. He kissed her one last time just before they reached the palace and parting. Joren prayed silently that it wouldn't be his last kiss, that many more were to come. He prayed silently that he had many more days, night, and years to spend completely in love with Kel.
Lord Wyldon was the second knight for Joren's instructions, Joren felt a little relieved at this. Sir Paxton and Wyldon were waiting for him when he reached the room where the bath was held that was attached to the Chapel. He set aside his clothing for the Ordeal and stripped right in front of the two knights. They asked if he was prepared to be instructed as he scrubbed and Joren confirmed that he was.
The ritual dictated each of the men's words. It went over his responsibility as a knight of the realm and defend the innocent and those in need. The two men bounced the words back and forth between them about all that would be expected of him. Joren listened carefully as he cleaned himself until he was squeaky clean.
He finally put on his vigil clothing and Sir Paxton looked at him with complete seriousness, "Remember, you must make no sound between now and the time you leave the Chamber of Ordeal." Paxton hugged Joren before letting the young man walk through the door into the Chapel.
It wasn't heated and the cold immediately began to penetrate his thin layer of protection to his still damp skin. He clenched his teeth to keep them from chattering and settled in the bench at the front of the Chapel in front of the Chamber. Joren didn't allow himself to dwell on the cold or his fear though. Instead, he tucked his feet under himself to keep them warm, crossed his arms and began thinking of all he could do if he survived. He allowed his mind to wander to his fief, one he had technically already inherited, and its occupants. The people that had been governed more by his mother than his father.
He then thought of how it seemed that Lady Verene had done more to honor the code of Chivalry than his father had, despite his father having obtained his knighthood. Joren focused on that next. His father had less compassion and respect for others than Joren did and the man had survived his Ordeal. If he did then Joren should as well, even if it was difficult.
In this manner, as Joren looked blankly at the Chamber and contemplated his future, a future that was still very much in doubt, the night passed. He seemed to have lost track of time and was only brought back to the present when the door to the Chamber clanked open and one of the Priests of Mithros entered the Chapel. Joren stood stiffly, his legs having gone numb from the long night of inactivity in the cold. He grimaced slightly at the pins and needles he felt as he moved about.
Joren breathed carefully, avoiding sighing as he walked towards the open door. He felt his hands tremble slightly as he stepped into the chamber and the door slammed shut.
For a moment, Joren stood in complete darkness before he was suddenly on the open ocean standing on an unstable raft. He barely bit back a yelp of surprise before dropping to his knees.
Joren twisted his head around, back and forth to assess his situation. Then, he dipped his hand carefully into the water and yanked it back almost immediately at the icy cold temperature. The raft was rolling gently with the waves and Joren pondered his situation. He put his wet fingers to his lips and tasted it. The water wasn't salty, so he assumed that he was on a lake of some sort. More glancing around showed a dot of land. He pondered how to get to the land when the raft rocked more violently.
While he had been thinking, storm clouds appeared and wind from the approaching storm was pushing the water about, causing sharper waves to occur. Water even began to push over the raft and run along his calves and feet. The chill made him shutter but he clenched his teeth again to keep them from chattering again and looked along the raft for something to hold onto. Finding nothing, He opted to stretch out and grab either side of the raft to hold on, even if it meant being dosed in icy water, it was still better than drowning.
He had kept his fear of drowning well hidden from most people. It wasn't too hard, after all, there was no testing on it. He clung tightly as the wind whipped the water up violently. He felt his grip slowly falter, the water making the wood of the raft slippery. Then, he heard a crack in the raft. He felt terror grip his heart as he realized that this was it. The Chamber was condemning him to death. He had known in a part of him that it would happen. He debated if it was worth clinging to the crumbling raft for a few more second and then decided it wasn't.
He was relieved that he had at least told Kel he loved her before dying. He hoped that with all her virtue, she would survive what he couldn't and then let go of the raft. The next wave shoved him off the raft and he plunged into the icy water. Just as his breath was about to give out under the water, he was shoved up against a shore. He scrambled up and out of the water. He barely held back the gasps for air, willing his lungs to take it in slowly. Once he was recovered enough to stand, he did.
A quick glance showed that he was no longer near any water. He now stood somewhere in a heavily wooded forest. He held a spear along with a group of the older pages. It took him a second to process where he was before recognizing the man who was nearby. Lord Raoul, and Joren was thirteen. It was the Spidren hunt. The one that Kel had led. Lord Wyldon and Lord Raoul were giving orders out.
Unlike being in the second line, Joren found himself with the men of the King's Own going down into the valley where the Spidren nest was. He felt a wave of terror crash over him as the fighting started and he froze. It was nothing like the real battle, the men of the Own were cut down left and right around him as he did nothing, couldn't move. Then he heard a shout of 'at the rear' it was Kel's voice, he had heard it during the real fight too, but he had also been much closer to her than. Next, he heard a series of screams coming from Kel and the other younger pages as they were killed. None of the Own did anything to stop it, too wrapped up in their own fruitless fighting.
As he watched the last of the Own's men being cut down around him and he was surrounded by Spidren, he felt himself released from the paralyze. He heard a woman sobbing in the cave and tightened his grip on his spear. He managed to cut down two Spidren, completely on his own before turning to a third that had thrown something hard at his back, bruising it. He struck out with the spear when the Spidren vanished and he tumbled to the ground.
He looked around and found the area suddenly free of opponents. He ran to the cave where the sobbing was. Inside, he found a strange woman curled on the ground, Vinson with a snarl on his face and sword raised over head. As Joren had run, the spear in his hand had dissolved. With nothing to defend the woman with, Joren threw himself between her and Vinson.
He landed with a thump on the cold flagstones, once more in a dark gray box. A cold whisper of a voice sounded in his head, "Interesting, very interesting. You might just do after all." At that, as Joren stood, an invisible force shoved him out the opening door. Joren nearly sobbed in relief at the sight of Sir Paxton, his mother and Kel along with some of her animals waiting for him.
Sir Paxton came forward and asked if Joren was alright. He nodded slowly and was helped to his feet, unaware that he had somehow fallen to his knees. He smiled at Kel weakly as he was helped past her. Her soft expression had him straighten a little. Paxton led him to his rooms where a warm bath was waiting already. Joren eased carefully into the hot water before relaxing into it more fully. A light meal was brought for him and he lingered in the bath until the water cooled.
When he did get out of the water it was to take a nap. He was woken around noon and ate again before seeking Kel out. He was relieved that she was in her rooms and happy to sit down on her bed next to her.
"I have a bit of a confession to make. It is a bit heavy and might make you hate me again afterwards," Joren stated as he leaned against her.
Kel looked at him with concern but nodded for him to continue. Joren kissed her lightly before telling her of his encounter with Kyprioth and the vision he had seen in the fire that night.
"So, what you're telling me is that you went into that Chamber with the knowledge that if you hadn't changed enough, you wouldn't have been coming out of there alive," Kel wasn't asking a question, to confirming what he said. His nod did prompt a question from her. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I didn't want you to feel like I was pressuring you for anything. Can you honestly say that if you knew the chances of my dying were higher that you wouldn't have done something you might have regretted?" Joren took her hand at this and kissed it.
"No, you're right, for once. It might have even created a level of resentment if I did regret it. I'm sorry but I'm just not ready for that yet," Kel offered weakly.
"I know. I don't think I'm ready for it either. I want everything to be perfect, preferably on our wedding night," Joren nudged her in a tease. "So, you don't hate me? Even if there is a high possibility that if I hadn't received that warning that I could have turned out worse than Vinson. Someone so horrible that the Chamber would have killed me outright."
"You know, I think that if you didn't have the potential for good in you all along, the Trickster wouldn't have been able to get through to you. He probably wouldn't have even bothered to try," Kel pointed out. "So, no, I don't hate you. I still love you. The change had to have been real for you to have survived and I love the man you are."
Joren pulled away just enough to look her in the eye, "You know, I do believe I will never tire of hearing you say you love me. I suppose that might be because I love you too. I'm glad I told you and sorry that I kept it from you. I just didn't want you to feel cornered." With this he kissed her tenderly.
"I appreciate that. So, do you think that anything interesting will occur tomorrow?" Kel asked, referring to Garvey, another former friend of Joren's.
"I doubt it. Garvey was always a follower, through and through. He doesn't have, at least, the confidence to do what Vinson did and think he could get away with it. Garvey isn't horrible, just misguided. Vinson did and thought he could get away with it. Zahir won't have any problems with his Ordeal either, I think. The thing about Vinson, and of the Genlith Family in general to be honest, is that he never expected retribution. When I reported him for attacking Lalasa, he seemed to be offended, more than anything else, that anyone would have the audacity to even quietly stand up to him," Joren thought back on that incident. He almost chuckled at the knowledge that he had no idea of where he would be today back then.
"So, you think the rest of the Ordeals will go as they should," Kel asked.
Joren nodded, "I do, though, now that I think about it, Lord Wyldon might take it a little hard that something as horrible as Vinson occurred under his tenure as training master.
Joren left Kel a short while later to prepare for his knighting ceremony. His mother, sisters, who had just arrived from the convent, and Sir Paxton went out to eat with him afterwards to celebrate. As predicted, Garvey and Zahir survived their Ordeals with little excitement. When all the squires that year had been through their Ordeals, the date of the Progress departing was announced.
Joren was already mostly packed, having moved from the palace to his family's townhouse now that he had obtained his knighthood and was the rightful Lord of Stone Mountain. He was visiting with Kel in the evening after the announcement, Kel was clearly uncomfortable about something but Joren figured that she would tell him when she decided.
As she packed, and they talked, Kel's door burst open. Joren smiled a little at Kel's knee jerk reaction to go for her sword. She relaxed when she saw it was Owen. Joren nodded at Owen who completely ignored him in favor of his excitement.
"Kel! I'm a squire!" He cried, bouncing around.
Kel was clearly biting back a laugh but Joren didn't bother, "You've been a squire for months." Kel pointed out, while giving Joren a scolding look.
"Not like you're a squire, not like Neal. Kel, my brain's gonna pop! I'm not in service to Sir Myles anymore. Lord Wyldon resigned, and he's going home for a while and come spring, he's going to fight Scanrans. With me! He's going to work me like a horse, he says, but Kel, I'll be a squire to a fighting knight! Isn't it the jolliest? And he'll teach me to breed dogs!" Joren had straightened at the information that Lord Wyldon resigned.
Owen hugged Kel in excitement before leaving, Kel having fallen into laughter, "Care to share?" Joren asked, having a good idea what was bothering her earlier.
"I was told by the king not to tell anyone but since I didn't actually tell you, I suppose I can elaborate. He said he was resigning because of what happened with Vinson. That you had reported his assaulting another woman and that he didn't, couldn't do anything to punish Vinson for it," Kel smiled weakly. "I suggested that Lord Wyldon take Owen on as his squire."
"That was probably wise. Owen and Wyldon will likely balance each other," Joren nodded his approval. Joren left her to her packing a short while later.
He was disappointed when Third Company, Kel included, left ahead of Progress to scout the road. The Progress stopped in Irontown for a week before continuing south into the farming lands and then the desert. Finally, at this point the scouting parties were ordered to join with the main Progress.
Joren had happily offered to deliver the message and was riding back with Third Company. Sargent Domination, a friend of Kel's from the company grumbled to her about knowing when to return. Kel had quipped back at him and given him a raised eyebrow.
Dom glanced between the two, "You look just like my lord when he does that. Doesn't she look like Lord Raoul when she raises her eyebrows?"
Joren looked at Kel intently before smirking, "Oh, I don't know. I like to think Lady Keladry is a bit pleasanter to look at, eyebrow raised or not."
Kel blushed and Dom laughed, "You know, you might just be right about that." Dom and Joren than spent the rest of the afternoon of riding competing at who could flatter and make Kel blush more.
That evening, Kel scolded him for teasing. Joren responded by kissing her, "Sorry, I was just releasing a little tension since we haven't really gotten a chance to spend time together. What I said was true though, didn't tell a single lie." Kel blushed again at this. They then went on to discuss the Bazhir and their greeting for the king.
The rest of the week was spent immersed with tribes traveling with them until they reached the fortress city of Persopolis. When they arrived, the pattern changed a little, instead of squires providing service at the gatherings, they were guests. This meant Joren could dine with Kel, a welcome change. It led to a few antics, however. Some conversations took interesting turns that amused Joren a great deal, others a little less so as they had to do with the potential for war with Scanra.
The day after one such evening, Joren spent half a day looking for Kel only to find her that evening, one of her sparrows had died. While he didn't fully understand the sentiment but tried to comfort her the best he could. At supper, she refused a challenge with snappish anger that was out of character. When two days later, another of the older sparrows was found dead, Joren joined Kel in burying him besides the first. He comforted her again, offering what support he could as she wept.