Well I guess its time I meet up with Neal. I can't avoid him forever.
Truth be told Kel didn't really want to go to the mess hall even though she was hungry. Neal most likely knew about her and Dom's breakup. Chances were he would want to talk about it. At the mess door she paused unsure. But as she was turning away, a couple of her friends waved her over.
Great!
Not really having a choice she went and sat down beside Owen.
" Hey Kel you aren't looking too good. I mean you're looking a little pale. You o.k.?" Merric asked bluntly.
She knew it was true. She had cried half the night over Dom. Just like a Lady. Before she could say anything she was being bombarded by questions from others at the table. Neal was the only one who didn't say anything. I guess he knows. Perfect.
" You guys I'm fi-"
" Lady Knight, their Majesties ask for your attendance at the council room," Interrupted a woman in the blue skirt and white tunic of a palace servant.
" Well, may I have breakfast?"
" They asked for your immediate attendance Lady."
" Okay. I'll see you guys later. Neal don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
Following the servant woman to the door Kel suddenly remembered something. Yelling over her shoulder, all she said was, " Stone Mountain is back."
The mess hall door closed on her friends surprised expressions.
Why would King Jonathan need me right now?
~ ~
" Sir Joren of Stone Mountain, Your Grace." The servant murmured as he bowed and left the room.
Stepping into the council room Joren studied the many important faces looking at him. He saw the king and the queen, Numair Salmalin, Alanna the Lioness, and Daine Sarrasri. At the last he smirked. A bastard child.
Deciding to have a little fun, Joren completely ignored the people in the room and started to explore. Walking to a vase on a red oak table, he tapped it and said quite loudly,
" A lovely replica of that of my mother's."
Out of the corner of one of his cold blue eyes, he could see Queen Thayet visibly shake with anger. She only calmed down when King Jonathan touched her hand. Bored of his game, Joren strolled to the middle of the room and bowed.
" You lack the proper mannerisms of a noble, boy." Joren turned to the voice of the Lioness.
" As you lack the proper mannerisms of a lady, Lioness." He replied. Alanna's hand went towards the sword at her belt instantly.
" Watch your mouth Stone Mountain. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't still break your ass."
Unaware of the council doors opening behind him Joren replied, " But you can't. You were banned from duels long ago. I see the king wanted to protect you from humility."
" Get over yourself Joren, you know she can bust your ass. But because she can't, doesn't mean I won't." Kel said walking towards the middle of the room and bowing.
Though Kel had known who Joren was straight away, it took a few seconds for him to place her. Damn, she has changed. He was right. She now had beautiful light brown hair that fell to her shoulders. Her dreamy hazel eyes could drown an uncautious man in them. Though she was tall, her curves clearly pointed her out as a woman. Too bad she's the Lump. If she wasn't I could of even been interested.
" Barely an hour in the palace Lump and you've ruined my day by showing your ugly face". He was surprised when he saw pain cross over her features. Before she could reply the king interrupted them.
" Enough, both of you," ordered the king. " You have been summoned here to… well-"
" You have been summoned because the Gods have summoned us," Daine spoke up. There was silence in the room as people tried to digest this new piece of information. Disbelief was clear on many faces.
" Why would the Gods want her?!" Joren exclaimed clearly speaking about Kel. " And why would they talk to you if they want me Sarrasri?"
Suddenly the room brightened intensely. It was as if the walls had been covered in pure gold. Everyone in the room either closed their eyes or covered them with their hands. It was that or be blinded. As the light died down a powerful voice boomed through the room.
" Joren of Stone Mountain is that how you speak to the child of the God Weiryn!"
Kel and Joren turned around to see an extremely tall black man, the owner of the voice. He was over 8 feet tall, well muscled and almost unnaturally beautiful. His dark brown eyes were bright and wise. He wore a golden chest plate and golden armlets as armor. In his right hand he held the Sword of Justice and on his left, the Axe of War. He was bright Mithros the King of the Gods.
Those who could, sank to their knees and lay their heads on the ground.
" No answer, Joren?" Mithros said grinning.
Daine who saw that Joren was almost in total shock, gave Mithros a reproving glance. She had met him a few times so wasn't as easily influenced.
" Leave the boy alone Your Grace. Take a seat. Kel and Joren you better sit down also."
" Always ruining my fun Daine. Just like your father," sighed Mithros. But a huge chair suddenly appeared behind him and he sat down. With a wave of his hand two other chairs were beside him. " Sit Joren, Keladry."
They had no other choice but to obey. When they sat down there was an awkward silence filled with grins from Mithros and frowns from Daine. King Jonathan finally gathered the courage to speak.
" Your Grace, why have we been granted the privilege of your presence."
All smiles disappeared from the God's face. He turned towards Joren and Kel seemingly studying them. When he was done he nodded in approval. " I and the Council of the Gods have chosen these two young knights to embark on a quest. A quest to find the Chalice of Iluriel before a certain mage."
"Is it not a myth?"
It wasn't Mithros but Numair that answered.
"No, this chalice is quite real. It has the power to give the drinker immortality."
" You are right mage, but it also can make the drinker a God." There was a profound silence in the room. The thought of anyone becoming a God could scare anyone out of their wits. If Duke Roger had found the chalice, thought Alanna. She shuddered. Kel finally broke the silence.
" Why us? We are only simple knights, both giftless. How can we track down this mage?"
" You were chosen not only because you are two of the best swordsmen but because you are the chosen of the Gods. You both have abilities that you are unaware of. This man is not exactly a mage, we know not what he is. He is shielded from all with the gift. Even I, a Great God can only see his aura sometimes." Mithros answered sounding quite humble. " Will you accept this quest?"
Joren and Kel looked at each other, knowing the others answer. Who refuses a God?
" We accept."
