A/N: sorry it took so long for me to finish this, I got side tracked by books and video games. Basically I had to win a game to get Lady Knight. It took me awhile but I did. I just got it today:) also I finished reading Elsewhere and highly recommend it. It's a cool book. School starts soon for me, on Sept 3. So I won't be able to write as often. But I will keep writing till this is done never fear. Once I finish this I'm gonna go read, so till later…-Siren

Disclaimer: ok well I kind of borrowed the bookstore in Elsewhere by Will Shetterly, so don't sue me please. I have no money and don't make anything by writing this. (Although I wish I did) also, the TP characters of course belong to Tamora Pierce, and the rest all belongs to me!

Joren and Cori stood out side a cage; Cori twirled the keys to the cage on one finger. Taunting the girl inside. Cori smiled, "well now Siren, looks like the tables have turned wouldn't you say?" he laughed and an angry, humph was heard from inside the cage. "Let me out of here or I swear you'll regret it." It was said in an amazingly calm voice. Joren and Cori both smiled. Joren turned to Cori; "maybe we could put Kel in there too? What do ya think?" Cori nodded, "sure, let's go find her. She's a good hider, but she can't hide forever." The two men started off to find Kel, leaving the Princess in her cage.

ISCK: Ch 13 – Books and Buddies.

Josh pounded his fist down hard on the wood table making a loud bang. "I won't have it!" he screamed at his female co-conspirator. He stood; anger showing from his clutching fist to the snarl that warped his pretty face. "I won't let her, sending brats to find the Stone. Does she think some young runts will beat me?"

The tall woman lounged on a red velvet backed sofa. Her long blond hair fell over the arm of the sofa in soft flowing curls. Faultlessly painted lips decorated a dainty face. "Come now yur highness, don't let the little princess bother you." Her smile replaced with ugly sneer at the word Princess. Josh however didn't calm down. I will get that Stone, she will be mine. His raven black hair was cut short and curly. A lock of hair fell across his forehead, making him look almost handsome. He smiled sinisterly and took a seat in the big high-backed chair behind him. Sighing he looked at the blond woman, "Gods curse those children."

Their came a knock on the door, "come in" his voice was slightly annoyed at the disturbance. Through the door a servant shuffled, "yur Majesty, the scribe, Master Conner is now ready with the parchment you ordered, Sire." The servant bowed again and left the room. The lady on the couch gave a small laugh; "looks like you're one step closer." She gave a corrupt smile and slid from her place on the sofa.

Josh stood and came around the table, offering the lady his arm, he strode out the door thinking, just a little longer my princess and you shall be mine…

***

Siren stood in the breakfast line, waiting helplessly for food. Finally she passed through the line. With a quick sweep of the room she spotted an empty table and immediately set out to claim it.

She placed her tray on the table and then sat. Even the mess hall is…beautiful. I soooooo don't belong here, I think I might actually break the table if I touch it. Around her the room indeed was very dressy.

The walls where covered in vines, each vine had big green leafs and many colored flowers. The walls were a light color like marble or white clay. The tables where set in no immediate order. They where small, round and made of a fine wood. She was so engrossed in eating her breakfast roll and gawking at the scenery that she hadn't noticed her tall knight walk up behind her.

Gently he taped her shoulder, startling her. She turned and stared up at him, "Gods, don't do that!" she allowed her self to relax as he took a seat on the other side of the table.

He smiled, "Good Morning, Courtland." Her voice showed no emotion, He winced at the use of his full name. She only used that name when she was angry with him. He sighed, "listen Siren we have to talk…" he trailed off waiting for her to answer to that. She faked ignorance, "talk? About what?" slowly she stood and disposed of her tray.

She walked out the wide doors that lead to the courtyard and began to walk along the longest path. "Siren, don't do this, you know very well what." He came to a halt behind her, stopping before he ran in to her. She turned to face him, a million thoughts running through her head. "What, that…that kiss? It was nothing." Or at least that's what she told her self. " We were both just emotional, nothing more." She turned on her heels and began to walk again. Trying hard to ignore the inner voices yelling at her to stop.

"Siren stop. Please." He jogged to catch up. She stopped and turned to face him, sighing heavily. "What more do you need to hear?" he looked at her, his eyes level with hers. "Are you telling me you felt nothing? Nothing at all?" she had been looking into his eyes but now averted them, so she stared over his shoulder. The air grew tense between them. Neither wanting to break the silence. He looked at her, replacing the happiness with anger. His voice was tense as he spoke. "Fine then princess, your wish is my command. I see you wish not to speak of it so I won't." Cori took a step closer, so he could whisper hot words in her ear, "maybe I was wrong, you really don't need anyone but yourself." He pulled back and giving her a last glance walked away, never once turning back.

Siren stared after her knight, knowing that she had really done it this time. Somewhere from deep inside she felt a tug at her heart. Resisting the urge to cry, or even worse run after him, she sucked in a deep breath, turned and began her long walk to the city, alone.

***

Ok, what just happened…? Cori walked at an alarming pace. Anger clouding his better judgement. If he had been thinking he would have said something, or done something - anything to get a reaction out of her. But once again that would have been his better judgement, which was currently out of order.

He walked without direction. Letting his feet carry him where they would. He didn't argue; his mind was still reeling. Nothing? Nothing at all? Is that even possible? Whatever if she doesn't think I'm good enough for her, then fine, There are plenty of women who would be glad to share my bed with me, yet alone have me kiss them.

His anger stayed with him as he stomped into the study, his brother sat at the big desk and looked up startled when Cori walked through. "Why, brother, is something wrong?" Rey looked at Cori his eyebrows raised with curiosity; he motioned for Cori to take a seat. "Tell me your woe's brother, that I may solve them." Cori slumped into the red velvet chair, and sighed. Then began to explain his troubles…

***

Joren looked more then a little unamused. Great, just great…another freaking riddle. Kel sat across the table, trying to figure out what it was suppose to mean. "So what's it mean?" Kel looked at him and he retorted, "how am I suppose to know?" after a few moments silence Kel began to figure it out.

Answer to our question? The only to questions I have are where is the Stone. That leads to whom is the poem… made …for. Oh my god! She looked up meeting Joren's gaze.

She gaped at him, "Joren the poem…it was made-" before she finished he cut her off. "I know…" he stood up and dropped a few coins on the table to pay for their breakfast, "I'm going to go get us some supplies. We'll leave tomorrow." "But where ar-" he was gone before she finished her sentence. But where are we going? Stupid jerk. Kel was more then a little frustrated.

Might as well take a walk. Nothing to do till later anyway. She got up and headed out the front door.

***

The streets where filled with merchants and traders. Elves coming and going, buying and selling. People were everywhere. Though odd human walking by.

Through the crowd Kel saw a shot of red hair. I wonder if it's Siren? But why would she be here? Kel was about to forget it when she saw a flash of hair head into the bookstore. But unlike all the other women in the busy market, she wore a pair of black breaches and a billowing white shirt. A sword hung from her belt; its silver hilt toped by a blue stone.

Now how many women carry a sword, and of that style? With her mind made up Kel started for the bookstore.

***

The bookstore was lined from back to front with wooden bookshelves. Hand lettered sign decorated the shelves: History. Herstory. Hystery. Science. Amusing Nonsense in the Guise of Scientific Truth. Miscellaneous Nonfiction/Miscellaneous Lies. Fiction About Impossible Things. Fiction About Improbable Things. Fiction About Pedestrian Things. Folklore. Fakelore. Religion, Mythology, and Amusing Nonsense in the Guise of Occult Truth (Reader's Choice). Philosophy/Sickology/Medicine. Comedy, Intentional, and Comedy, Accidental.

At the vary back of the room, in an open space sat a big wooden desk covered by books. Volumes and volumes of books. Whether it be big and fat or thin and small, they all had a spot over the desk. A small desk lamp lay in front of the only spot on the desk not covered by books. A notebook with book orders occupied that spot. A brunette woman, wearing a brown shirt and breaches, sat behind the desk.

She looked up as Siren approached. "Siren? Oh my word, Siren Porter has finally come to Annwn. I never thought I'd see you again." The woman stood and made her way around the desk to hug Siren. Siren smiled and hugged her old friend back. "Perian, you know I couldn't stay way forever." She laughed and released Perian. "Come, sit. Tell me how you've been doing this past years." Perian pointed he to a chair and she sat.

"Well, life's been…interesting to say the least. Where to begin…" she trailed off as the store bell dinged.

***

Through the door walked Kel, her light brown hair worn lose over a green tunic and a white shirt. Her breaches were of a tree brown.

She walked by the shelves, admiring the titles and the books. She stopped over the 'Good Book' Fantasy section, spotting a title that looked interesting.

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith , humm, looks good. She picked it up and resumed her walk to the back of the store. The back came into view, a wide space filled with mounds of books.

Also there sat Siren and a brown haired women Kel had never seen before. As she came nearer, Siren looked over and smiled. "Kel, wasn't expecting to see you here!" She waved her arm to welcome Kel in, then motioned to another empty seat.

"This is Perian, she's a friend of mine." Siren pointed to the girl that sat behind the desk, spectacles falling off her nose face half covered by smoky brown curls.

Kel sat, "So what are you doing here? That is if you don't mind my asking?" Siren laughed, "No, I don't mind. I'm hear because, well because I'm currently engaged to the Elven prince." Kel and Perian both gaped. "You're engaged? You? Siren Porter?" Perian looked at her long time friend like she was nuts.

Siren took a deep breath. "Hang on a second, isn't the elven prince Courtland Steele, the kings champion?" Perian smiled evilly. Siren groaned, "don't remind me!" she looked at Kel, "and to think, I thought things couldn't get any worse." She rolled her eyes and let her head fall back.

"So? Come on tell us what happened. Hold on, I'll grab us some tea first." Perian stood and walked through the door on the right of the chair, while Kel settled in for the story.

***

Joren had been walking for awhile. Thoughts of the Stone and the poem filling his head. You must overcome your fear? Great, so what do I fear? Work together? With the lump? Not gonna happen. She has way too much to learn; still I don't really have a choice. He had been so into his thoughts he hadn't even noticed the sandy-blond haired Knight.

They collided, Joren backed up and looked at the other man. He was as tall as Joren and had sky blue eyes under sandy-blond hair, cut to his ears and was slightly waved. Nothing in his muscular build covered by plain brown breaches and shirt showed he was a knight, it was his sword at his waist that gave him away.

"Sorry their Lad. Didn't see ya." The man had an accent of a commoner, but held himself like a noble. Joren nodded, "that's alright." The other man stuck out his hand, "I'm Sir Sebastian Cordell," Joren, deciding not to be his usual prick self, took the hand and replied, " Sir Joren of Stone Mountain." Sebastian looked around then looked back to Joren, "Say, would ya happen to know where the store, Beyond is?" Joren raised his eyebrows, "Never heard of it before, looking for it?" Sebastian nodded, "fellow knight/bookworm owns the place, if yur in town long drop by. Not many humans in this part of the woods." He smiled adding, "well I should go, I was expected there this morning." Sebastian nodded a good bye and took off down the cobblestone road. Odd people, a store called Beyond. I've heard of worse, maybe later I'll drop by…

***

Sebastian walked on, bumping into several more people while looking for the bookstore Beyond.

Finally after much searching he found the store. Outside it had a big sign that read: Beyond. He smiled and started in, See Perian I told you I would come…

A/N: ok well thanx go to…

Angel of the Storms: Hot pokers, hummm, maybe in future I might…hehehehe. Oh and I thought up a really good scene for next chapter, I can't say much but I'll say it involves a bathtub and Joren :) well, till than…thanx for reviewing-Siren

Sovereign: glad you loved it, till next chapter and thank you for reviewing-Siren

Fire Rider: you way to kind. Thank you so much. Keep reviewing:) till later-Siren

Aric: I think I'm reading a review for Ch 11 but that's ok, thanx for reading till later. More evil josh to come. –Siren

Christine: well here you go, chapter 13 :) hope you like it. Thanx for reviewing-Siren

Min (or The Blind Assassin): well, the whole Siren/Cori thing would have been better but I kinda had a little writer's block. So well…this is how it turned out…not to bad I hope. I was going to make it mushy but it was to out of character. Hope you like it still. Till next chapter. (I know where I'm going again, I fixed my writer's block, :) ) Ok till next time and thanx again –Siren

That Girl: thanx again for reviewing till later and another chapter of Joren, possibly in a bathtub :) till than –Siren

Silver: glad you like it keep reading please. I love getting reviews. :) Thanx for your review. Till later-Siren

Rachel: I'll try to tell my teachers that I have a fic to right but I don't think they'll listen. Lets just say the new Knights are a bit of foreshadowing:) (muwhhhhmuwhhhhwhwhh) thanx for review, hope to see you review more. Till then –Siren

Larzdinn: still my longest reviewer. Mythros-Mithros…opps, thanx for telling me, whenever I here it I think 'y' not 'I' . Oh well. Siren's being punished for her bad mood, but she will get them back. :) (In back ground- siren yells from a cage, "let me out of here you creeps, argh.") I can forgive you if you can't write long reviews, your already forgiven:) the book I was reading is called "Elsewhere" by Will Shetterly, it's so good, but be warned it has a sad part. (I cried, but then again I cry for a lot of books) I was shocked to find that fanfiction doesn't have a section for it. Oh well. It's really good, if you like elves of all kinds then it's really cool. Thanx for many long reviews and any short ones to come Edi, peace out-Siren

NiceDay: ah well, Joren can't like Kel too soon but in due time…he will. :) Till next chapter and thanx for the review. –Siren

The Dark Lady Adrienne: well they figured out the 'YOU' thing but still have a lot to think about. I would never hurt (my) Joren. I always fall for the bad boys. *Sigh* thanx for the review. Till next time –Siren

A/N: for those of you interested I have a sci-fi fic going to. I got my inspiration from, It Could Be Worse by Sulia Serafine. But it's very different to. It's called Her Last Mission it's about an arcadia agent who had past problems with partners and know has to work with one. The woman is Agent Alexandria Galaway and her partner-to-be is (male, thought I should add that) Agent Dorian Kane. Both are solo agents who are forced to work together. :) And yes he's a bad boy, motorcycle-riding hottie. Well, read and review because the Sci-fi people don't tend to review to often. I look forward to hearing from you all. Till then -Siren