That night, Kel sat beside her window looking at the stars. She wondered what was in store for her. A dangerous mission, a search for an object of power, just like a Lioness adventure, she thought. All of a sudden she frowned. How long is this quest going to take? I mean how long can Joren and I survive with only each other for company? Maybe I should ask King Jonathan to allow me to bring someone else…Forget that! I don't think I can request any more favors from that man. Ah well, I still have three days before departure. I better get to bed, there's going to be a briefing tomorrow/. Standing, she stretched tiredly than crawled into bed. Unknown to her, while she slept tears ran down her face.

                                                     ~                         ~

The stars twinkled in the sky as Joren walked towards the Chamber of Ordeal. He could hear the wind whistle as she blew past the many trees. When he walked the grass whispered softly as his booted feet touched the padded green carpet. Abruptly, he stopped walking. He now stood before the Chapel of Ordeal. A few more steps and he would have to face it once again. He didn't want to open the doors, nor listen to that stony voice. Pulling himself together, he opened the doors to the chapel. It was a bit dusty and he could see spider webs glistening in the moonlight. Creepy. Willing himself to calm down, he took the remaining steps that would bring him in front of the Chamber. He placed a hand on the door.

So you're  back. I was beginning to wonder if you had the courage.

What do you mean? Of course, I am. I'm not one of the Lump's girly friends.

Is that what you think Joren of Stone Mountain?

That is what I know.

I see… So you have found the task laid out for you. What will you do?

I will do it of course.

No! What will you do about the girl?

I will make sure she keeps in her place as a woman. No female directs my life.

You think this female will listen to you? She will fight you every step of the way. She might even beat you as well.

No woman gets the best of me!

If that is what you think so be it. Yet understand Joren , if she fails you fail. If you fail, we all fail. You may leave.

Walking back to his rooms Joren thought of the Chamber's words.

                                        ~                                          ~

King Jonathan looked around checking to see if everyone was in the council room. Daine spoke to Numair softly. Alanna and Thayet were conversing about weapons. He smiled. It turned wry when he looked at Keladry and Joren. Joren was glaring at her while she calmly stared back.  Her lack of reaction was noticeably annoying him. How will they ever get along, king Jonathan sighed. Time to get this briefing started.

" We begin now. Kelary of Mindelan, Joren of Stone Mountain you are to leave this palace in two days time at dawn. You are to be prepared by tomorrow night. Alanna will explain the weapons you are to bring."

" You two will travel light. You will need to be able to move quickly at a moment's notice. No big weapons, meaning lances, glaives, staffs, longbows etc… Weap-"

" Lioness the glaive is my best weapon. May I not bring it?"

" Sorry Kel, but it could become a hindrance if you were in a hurry."

" I understand." Kel only display of temper, were her smoldering eyes.

" Anyway, you are allowed daggers, swords, long knives, throwing stars, darts etc… Stuff that are light and easy to carry."

Queen Thayet finally spoke, her deep and musical voice echoing in the room.

" You shall travel by horse to the capital of Tyra with a small band of guards. There you shall gather supplies and your escort will leave you. You are to go to the WaterDeep Inn where you will find a man named Aidan Senar. He will arrange transport for you across the Inland Sea." The Queen took a breath than continued.

"Upon your arrival you will be led to the Imperial University. There you will find the directions to the Chalice of Iluriel."

When Queen Thayet stopped speaking Numair got up and walked to a window. His broad back facing the occupants of the room, he uttered a few words under his breath. A black shadow surrounded his tall figure for a moment before it melted away. When he turned around he held a speckled toad in his large hand. Walking to Kel he held it out to her. Stealing herself for the creature's sliminess she took it. Her eyes widened.

" Sir? I don't understand, it doesn't feel like a toad."

" 'Course it doesn't Kel. It's am illusion. It's actually a candle. Remember, Mithros told you about the leaking magic from the griffin feathers. While you travel you are to learn how to see through illusion. It's quite-"

" How am I to learn without a teacher. I know nothing of magic."

Numair sighed. " I wish I could teach you but we're hard pressed for time. It is actually simple. Try to remember the way you feel when you have the griffin feathers on. Concentrate on the way you feel while seeing through the illusion. It is the same for truth. I am confident that you will learn this ability quickly."

"Are you done?"

" Yes, Jonathan."

" Well then Daine has informed me that each week she shall send a messenger bird. I will expect a report. Please you two try to get along for our sakes. You may hold the balance of this world in your hands. Dismissed."

As soon as they were in the hallway Joren started to verbally abuse her. What have I done to deserve this, she thought, inwardly rolling her eyes.

" You stupid whench! Now we have an escort following us so they can protect you!"

Normally Kel wouldn't have replied but all the pent over emotions in her boiled over. Her breakup with Dom and Joren' s constant tongue-lashings were causing her to burn with fury.

" Listen jerk, they probably included those soldiers so that you could satisfy your manly appetites.'

" You little bitch. I'll break your neck for that-"

" Get lost Joren." Kel started to walk away but was jerked back when Joren grabbed her arm, his eyes cold and hard.

" No one walks away from- "

Before he could finish his sentence, Kel had spun around and kicked him directly in the chest, right into a wall. As the air was forced from his lungs he slumped to the ground. She walked over to his panting body and kneeled beside him. Looking at her Joren suddenly got scared. She had a long knife in her hand and she was clearly very angry. She spoke to him voice quiet and tight.

" Don't think I've forgotten the many times you've tried to kill me in my squire years. Right now I'm tempted to slit your throat and let you bleed to death. But I need you for this task so I won't."

Placing the knife at the side of his beautiful face she gently applied pressure. As she moved the dagger a single drop of blood rolled down his face.

" I'm quite capable of killing or fighting Joren. I may be a woman, but I can kick your ass as well as any man."

With that she got up and left. Just when she was turning the corner Alanna stepped out of the council room. She noticed Kel's retreating back and the cut on Joren's face.

" I see you two are getting along fine…I guess I better get you to the healers' rooms, I think she broke a rib."

While Alanna helped him to the healers, all he could think of was his revenge on that bitch.

                                                                                    ~                                                             ~

Kel sat under a tree, gazing at the clouds. She was thinking about what she had done to Joren. I shouldn't have donethat, but he still deserved it. Plus it felt good (sigh). How can we survive months together, when we can barely survive 2 hours together. We're hopeless. The sparrow Salt, peeped on her shoulder. She looked down the hill and saw Daine climbing it. By the time Daine reached the top of the hill, Kel's face was emotionless.

" Kel you o.k.?"

" Sure I am."

" You know you've changed ever since… Dom…."

" You saw I did to Joren didn't you?"

"Yeah! Two cracked ribs and a badly bruised ego. Not that he didn't deserve it but-"

" Two cracked ribs?" Kel whispered weakly.

" See Kel you've got to take control. I know what Dom did to you hurts, yet to accomplish this quest you and Joren need to be in one piece."

" I know it's just that-" Kel stopped and blinked her eyes looking up.

" It's o.k. to cry Kel."

" I'm the Lady Knight, I don't show weakness."

" Your also human and all those feelings need to go somewhere."

They didn't say anything for a few minutes. They just sat there looking at their surroundings.

" I wanted to kill Dom when he told me."

" I know. I'm so sorry."

" I don't think I can cry anymore Daine. I don't sleep well at night anymore. When I start crying it doesn't stop."

" Maybe you just need to hit something. You can't use Joren as a punching bag every time you lose control."

" Yeah, your right. I'm heading for the practice courts."

" Stay away from live targets Kel."

                                                                                  ~                                                                   ~

The redheaded knight had just finished healing Sir Joren. Luckily his face wouldn't scar. Still, she wasn't finished with him.

" Why do you insist on pushing her buttons?"

" Why shouldn't I? She doesn't belong here, nor do you. I'm just clarifying this to her. Anyway, she hasn't reacted like that before."

" Well that was before Dom- Shit!"

" Dom…Domitan of Masbolle. What happened?"

" Forget it! I just wanted to make sure that you understand one thing. You hurt her and I'll kill you myself. She's already got enough crap going on without you adding your own bullshit."

" Threatening me my Lady?" he asked while grabbing her hand and kissing it. He smirked as she pulled away.

" Do you want to die so badly Stone Mountain? Or is it that independent women turn you on?"

She left the room before he could reply or she could break his leg. Lucky for him she was not near enough to hear him mutter, " I'm not but the king is."