A/N: Well here I am again:) Sorry it took so long, I would have had it done Saturday but my friends kept me to busy to type a word. I finally managed to escape to the computer though, so here you are…enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from any TP book.
Siren, Kel and Alanna crouched in a small room, hoping not to be found. Joren and Cori were out there looking for them. They had managed to undo the ties that Alanna had put on them, and now searched for the women. Siren had found a rather large net. "Ok when they come through the door I'll throw the net on them, and you both tackle them." The other's nodded in agreement. And then they began their wait…
ISCK- Ch 15: A Visitor from The Past.
Kel frowned, Stupid jerk, gods I hate him. She was lost in her memories, her hot tea sat discarded. Quickly turning cold.
It was hard to keep thoughts of Joren's naked form from her mind, not that she didn't try. It didn't help that he was the first man she had ever seen exposed. Who would have thought…Joren would be…Worse part is I can't even say he looked bad. Damn him.
She stared into space not noticing the white blond figure that took a seat across from her. "Do you always let your tea go cold before you drink it?" a glint of humor lit his eyes, his mouth twisted in a wicked grin. Kel looked up startled out of her thoughts. "Did you want something Joren?" her no nonsense tone bored him, after this morning he was feeling kind of playful. He smiled falsely, "Nothing you could give me, Mindelan." Joren turned his head up as Mari approached, "Afternoon, Mari. Tea would be wonderful" those words coming from anyone else would sound happy, Joren however, said them like he was talking to a servant.
Kel shook her head; she wanted to scold him for his actions, but knew it would do no good. "So where are we going tomorrow?" Kel looked at him, he had been eyeing a petite blond elf girl that sat alone in the corner, "Joren, where are we going tomorrow?" he turned to look at her, less then happy to be pulled back to these thoughts. "How should I know?" he resumed his elf watching, Kel glared at him, Calm, Calm as a lake… "Then why in the Gods name are we leaving tomorrow if we don't know where we're going?" She looked at him, he turned back, boredom etched his fine features. "Cal it a feeling ok, Mindelan? We can figure out the damn riddle, poem, puzzle, whatever you want to call it, on the way there. You should probably go have a bath now? Unless of course you like smelling of horse dung?" wryly he smiled.
Without a word Kel rose, she knew that if she said anything she would end up regretting it. He is such a jerk. She walked up the stairs and back to the room, where only moments ago she had encountered Joren exposed.
***
He watched her go, following her movements with his mind. He wanted to hate her, but couldn't bring himself to that.
The cold tone she used made him angry, she could like that offish friend of hers, Neal, but she wouldn't even talk to him without sounding like it pained her.
Granted, he knew he had been an asshole, the word Jerk was to good for him, but to be ignored, treated like he was nothing by that Girl, that hurt more then any of the names you could call him put together.
She disappeared out of sight, Joren stared at the staircase after her, briefly he wondered if she really was a girl, and if so what she would look like without her green tunic on.
He shook his head hard clearing the thoughts, standing he headed for the door, he wanted to visit that bookstore, Beyond, before they rode out.
***
The stone hall felt dark despite the torchlight lining it. Her delicate heeled boots sounded loud in the quietness of the hall. The hem of her blue velvet dress fell just above her toes, and as she walked it made a gentle swishing noise.
Siren stopped, the door to the study lay before her. Her heart gave a painful leap as she knocked on the door. The sound vibrated of the walls causing a slight echo.
She fought back the fear to run, she hated social meetings and at present was on less then favorable terms with Cori. Deep breath in, deep breath out…it's just a meeting, you can get through it…really. The door opened, admitting her into the study room.
Across the room, on velvet sofa sat Courtland and his father, the king. Rey sat in a lone chair of the same red velvet, and the Queen sat on a matching sofa against the left-hand wall. Siren was forced into taking the only seat available, next to Queen Alauren.
With watched steps she made her way to the sofa, sitting with perfected grace. The Queen smiled at her, she nodded her return.
Cori's spot was directly across from hers but she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. She knew there fight was her fault, how could she not.
She could tell by the way he sat, and answered his parent's questions that he was still mad at her. She didn't blame him.
The day wore on, daylight turned to moonlight. The sun fell as the stars rose into the sky above. They stayed talking about wedding plans and other social agreements, the whole time, Siren and Cori never spoke to one another.
Finally the supper bell rang, together the troupe headed to the supper hall. Siren, to her dismay, was to eat in the great supper hall with all the elf nobles and other nobles that had come to see the Prince and his bride.
She restrained the urge to slap everyone that called her 'his bride'. Gods it's like I don't have a name… she managed to sit through the meal, hands clenched under the table the whole time.
When the torment finally ended she took the opportunity to slip out of the supper hall and down the corridor, hoping to make it to her room before she left.
All would have been good, except for the tall dark figure leaning on her door. Who in Gods name is that? She slowed her pace, walking with care. Only when she was a scant 2 feet from the man could she see who it was. "Dear Gods, save my soul." She took a step back, Josh took a stride forward. Grabbing her wrist he held her in place, "Now my sweet Siren, you don't look to happy to see me? Darling don't fight me, I would hate to hurt you." He smiled, she didn't want to scream, it seemed too girly for her, but at the moment she was terrified.
His magic was of a dark nature, unlike normal magic it stole strength away. Whether that strength was magical or life force. He could control it, handle it like the Gift.
His grip on her arm was making her drowsy, she tried with desperate strength to fight it. To fight him.
He laughed a cold, cruel sound, "Siren, don't fight it, you and I both know you can't escape my grip. I will make you happier then that pretty boy prince ever could…" she didn't hear the rest, knocked out cold by his magic.
He scooped her up into his arms and headed down the hall, no one would stop him for everyone was in the supper hall still.
He smiled to himself, he only needed the stone now, then she would be forever his.
***
The bookstore that Sebastian had told him about was not to far from the inn. Joren had headed there right after Kel had gone to have her bath.
Inside he had found two people, Sebastian and his friend Perian. Hours had past, he told them of his journey when they asked, they told him a bit of Kel's visit. Apparently Siren was in town too.
Sebastian turned to Joren, looking like an eager boy, "would ya mind terribly if I tagged along. It couldn't hurt to have another sword arm on ya, and I am a trained and experienced knight." Joren wanted to say no, but something told him they would cross paths again anyway.
Joren may not believe in fate but fate believed in him.
"Fine, we leave tomorrow, meet us at the Wandering Way." With that he stood, "I'll take my leave now, Mindelan's probably getting antsy. He nodded farewell and headed out the door.
***
Kel sat at a table, Sara and Cade sat with her. Both the children asked questions about Siren and Tortall. Excited to learn of the other places of the world.
Kel had long forgotten the events of that morning, at lest until Joren walked through the door. The two children saw him and smiled at Kel. Then they stood and Sara handed Kel a piece of folded paper.
Kel took it and Sara and Cade took off. Joren walked over and slumped into the chair across from her, he raised his eyebrows at the paper she held and she shrugged.
Finally she opened it, written on it in plain script was:
That which you seek,
Is not what you wish to find.
Your hearts had a peek,
Now you have to open your mind.
Kel sighed; she really was starting to hate these riddles.
Joren took it from her and read the paper, he rolled his eyes and stood. "Come on, Mindelan, we have a big day ahead of us." That said he headed for the stairs and ultimately their room.
Kel, still lost in thought, right behind him.
A/N: Tell me if you want me to mail you when a new chapter's up, I will (don't forget to give me your email). Now to the Thanx…
Larzdinn: (Edi) What type of author would I be if I didn't listen to my fans? :) I like knowing what people think, and if I can fix a mistake I will. Besides if you hadn't mentioned how OoC Cori was I wouldn't have reread it and at this very moment would be more then a little stuck. So I owe you, a big thanx. :) I'm trying my best to work on my spelling and grammar, one of these days I may actually be a lot better:) Happy Birthday! Best wish's. I too have homework, *sigh* I have a map of Mesopotamia to do for my civilization class. You still are my longest reviewer. Wow. Thanx for the review as always Till next time then, -Siren
Silverthorn: Cori was always an elf prince, he just hid it well. :) I think I explain it somewhere back in one of the chapters, but well he was always a prince :) thanx for the review and till next time –Siren
Lilia: I wish I could rush them but that would ruin the plot, and I don't want to do that, sorry. Thanx for the review, hang in there and all will be made right. Till later-Siren
The Dark Lady Adrienne: I'm thinking of a way to work in Joren and tikleing…I will find a way. *smile* Thanx for the review and till next time –Siren
Niceday: well here it is. I will try hard to get them up weekliy, I hope I'll be able to. Thanx for the review and till later –Siren
ThePenMage: wow, I think your review almost beat Larzdinn in length :) Yay I love long reviews. I feel so special. :) I don't know what possesed me to name her (and me) Siren but I did. It just fit so well. I do need a beta reader, I hope to find someone that wants the Job. Well thanx for the review, till next time –Siren
Jynessea: Joren and a bathtub, I think that's my favorite scene so far. Thyanx for the review, till later then –Siren
Bblond07 (Lady Daniella): I'll deffinatly mail you when a new chappie comes out. Hope you like this one. Thanx for reviewing. Till later –Siren
The Blind Assassin (Min): Not trying to kill you, just send you into shock, :) lol. Michelle is a bitch. More of her to come…evil stepsisters. I'm happy you didn't mind the changes, Thanx for th review (I so need a new way to say that) till later –Siren
Kitten: three long reviews in one chapter, :) it's ok for not reviewing in a while. I forgive you. :) as far as cool books go try The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley, it's a lot like Tp's books. I loved it. So if you haven't read it I really recommend it :) thanx muchliy for the review. Till later –Siren
Keita: Joren naked is deffinantly a good thing :). Thanx for the reivew,I look forward to next time –Siren
Angel of the Storms: well I'm glad you will still review. Ok I'm really really happy you will still review. :) I really don't like all the changes that FF.net is making but I want to finish my three works that are going before I give up on them completely. Well till later then and thanx for another review –Siren
A/N: ok well that's that. BTW I need a beta reader. Someone to deinantly help me with my writing, although I am getting better, as they say practice makes perfect!
Thanx everyone and all who read, and if you want your name to apear above review. Till next time –Siren Porter.
