"Did you get as many men as I requested?" Joren demanded heatedly. "I told you, I need 80 men from each fief involved!"
"Yes, master," the humbled servant replied.
"Buffoon," he muttered, stroking his chin distractedly. "Oh, and while you're off trying to fix the mess you made of my brilliant plans, call Vinson, Quinden, and Garvey." He laughed wickedly. "We have some certain, planning to do for our good friend Kel."
"Well, this certainly is interesting. It says, 'Elemental magic is common in only those who are connected with nature, and not in the least knowledgeable about the makeup of objects, more picturing themselves as characteristics of objects.' Does that mean I wouldn't have a chance or what?" Neal asked jokingly.
"It is interesting, and I wouldn't know," Kel said stiffly. She was still angry with him for his words of earlier. She couldn't figure out why he had wanted her to leave. I've got to stop thinking about that, she thought. On a lighter note, that little statement was right. I do picture myself as calm and serene as a lake sometimes.
"You may as well be Lord Wyldon, Jr., with that stiff tone. Wait, no, maybe you are!" He gasped, and clutched his heart.
"You big faker," she said, and hit him with a torrent of pillows. "This isn't helping me at all."
Neal was just about to make some tart reply when there was a sharp rap on the opened door. Cleon suddenly appeared with a pile of homework under his arm. "Is this homework party closed, or can a witless fellow like me join?" He sat down on the couch next to Kel, with a wink in her direction. "My sweet pearl, I am in your instruction. My math skills have once again failed me in the area of my homework."
"Where are Seaver and the others?" she asked puzzledly. They normally had a larger group.
"How should I know? They never came with me before," he replied.
"Oh. Well. Let's get started on this math problem right here," Kel said hopelessly. She had basically avoided Cleon ever since they kissed, but she supposed now there wouldn't be an escape route.
"Has anyone forgotten about how I am sacrificing my homework time for a certain someone?" Neal asked irritably. "I'll read more later, Kel. I have homework to do." Neal used the same stiff tone she had earlier. What's the matter with him? she thought. She sighed. Now she had another puzzle to solve. She decided to save it for a rainy day.
"Daine! Daine! Open up, there's something wrong with Jump! Daine, please!"
The door opened, and Daine stood there sleepily in her robe. "What's the matter?" she asked, then yawned. "You sure this couldn't wait until morning?"
"Positive." Kel pushed past, and gently unwrapped a stiff and bleeding Jump. As soon as Daine saw him, she snapped awake. Gently probing him, she unveiled a huge gash from his ear to his shoulder.
"What in the world happened?" Daine asked worriedly.
"I was going to Cleon's room just a little bit before lights-out to return the book he lent me yesterday, when all of a sudden, he ran way ahead. I heard a lot of barking, shouting, and cursing. When I finally reached Jump, he was unconscious with that big bump on his head and that huge gash." Kel spilled out. "Is he going to be all right?"
"Hard to say right now. If you want to, I can set up an extra cot n Numair's office and you can stay with him tonight," Daine offered.
"All right," Kel whispered, still shaken from the previous incident.
"I'll do the best I can," Daine said comfortingly, and squeezed her hand.
Kel straightened, and with more self-control now, she said, "Thank you so much. You don't know how much I appreciate this. He's my most loyal friend." With that, she sat down on the cot Daine had set out for her, and with the best intentions, promptly fell asleep.
Will Jump survive? Will Kel be forced to choose between Cleon and Neal? Will she figure out what Neal meant by those words he said when he told her she ought to leave? What is Joren's plan? Guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter! (Don't forget, I want more reviews!!)