Kel quietly left her room, in the early hours of the morning many people were still asleep. On her shoulders were Salt and Pepper (Salt's male counterpart). She would have liked to bring Jump and more of the flock, but she hadn't wanted to put them at risk. When she reached the stables, she walked to her horses' stalls. She gave a carrot to both of them, then entered Peachblossom's stall.
" Hey boy! I'm sorry but I can't bring you along. I wish I could but we need to move quickly."
Peachblossom snorted.
" Still talking to animals huh Mindelan. I thought you would have grown up by now."
Joren's tall figure stood at the stable door. He looked like a dark prince wearing a navy coloured cloak over his black riding clothes most of his face covered in shadow. Of course Kel didn't notice much of this since she was preoccupied with the nasty smirk on his face.
" Joren why can't you-"
" Listen, just get your things on the damn horse. We're leaving in five minutes."
Finished, he left. Turning to Peachblossom she could only sigh and say, " I don't think I'm going to enjoy this at all."
~ ~
T'was midmorning and they had just stopped for breakfast. Kel was in a bad mood. She had practiced with that toad that Numair had given her, and through the magic of the griffins she could see that there was something wrong it. Unfortunately, she still couldn't see through the illusion. That plus the guards put her in a grumpy mood though she didn't show it.
One,was constantly giving her dirty looks, two were ignoring her. Another was mentally undressing her, which made her quite uncomfortable. Normally, she would have done something about it, but messing up your own guards never does help you very much. The one guard she did like never spoke to her. He was younger then even she, and was a bit shy. Though he avoided her she had caught him a few times stealing glances at her. He seemed to be in awe.
Kel was suddenly woken from her revelry when,one of the guard's shadow fell over her. He was sneering at her and it did nothing for his already not so good looks.
" So ye are that woman. The woman who thinks herself a fighter. Who thinks herself as good as any man."
" Oh no, Master…?"
" Thomas."
" I know I am."
" I don't think so. No woman can fight, only those that are demons can. Women are supposed to bare children, cook, launder, and clean. They have no right to pick up arms."
" Women can fight," Kel repeated calmly though her hands balled into fists.
" Nay! I do not believe ye. Ye should go home and find yerself a man. Mayhap he will sweeten that temper of yours by giving you some of his sugar."
When Thomas turned around to laugh with the rest of his friends, Kel quickly stood up and punched him in the stomach. He fell to his knees and groaned. His comrades stopped laughing.
" Ye lil' bitch! Ye'll pay for that!"
The man stood up and swung his arm towards her face. She quickly dodged left and used her foot to yank his feet from under him. She had to admit he was fast for when he was going down his foot swept her of her feet. She jumped up when he did and they began to circle each other warily.
" Ye know girly ye won't win so give up now and ye won't be hurt."
Kel didn't reply. There was no point of speaking when fighting. You lost focus as you tried to find good insults. Kel suddenly lunged forward and almost delivered a swift blow that could of unhinged his jaw. Unfortunately, he dodged it and gave her a blow to the chin which brought black spots to her eyes. Yet seeing another attack coming she delivered a kick to his thigh that caused him to fall to his knees. She walked around him and gripped his hair while placing a knee on his back.
" I forgive you Thomas this time since you spoke from ignorance. Next time, I may break your leg. Now if you go into my red pack you will find a bottle of green balm which will ease the pain."
Joren who had been bathing at a nearby river, had just strolled out of the forest. He sneered.
" Lump, are you so hopeless that you need to force a man-"
" Stuff it Stone Mountain. Can we not get along until this quest is over?"
" No. You don't belong here you're a woman, you shoul-"
" Sir Joren, the Lady Knight was just teaching me a bit about…chivalry." Thomas spoke up seeing an argument beginning to rise.
" I see. Pack up we leave in ten minutes." Joren snapped. He then walked back into the woods, his eyes hard. There was an audible twang as one of his daggers bit into a tree. He didn't know why he was so angry but he knew it was her fault. He would teach her a lesson soon, one she would never forget. All he had to do was figure out what that lesson would be.
~ ~
" Thomas why did you just do that?"
" I am to protect a lady's honour m'am."
" Now don't get all formal on me now. You were treating me like a common gutter whore a minute ago. Anything changed your mind?"
At that Thomas winced. Understanding his discomfort Kel asked him to introduce her to the other guards. Deciding that this was the safest course of action, Thomas nodded. The other guards who had been listening the whole time stood in a line at attention. The first man could have been mistaken for a Scanran.
" This here is Arric, most handy with a bow in his hands. Kind of moody though."
Kel smiled.
" You guys relax, no need to be so formal. Just think of me as one of the guys."
The next man in line snorted. He was a tall black man probably originating from one of the many islands south of Carthak. She stepped in front of him looking up into his dark eyes. They were laughing at her. Unruffled she stood her ground.
" Who might you be? And what is so funny?"
" I'm Jace Lady Knight. No offense or nothing but you will never be mistaken for a man."
" What?!"
" Well, don't you noblewomen have mirrors?"
To tell the truth, Kel was completely confused though she hid it. She had never thought herself in the least attractive. She knew that she had to have atleast a few good qualities, how else would she have gotten Cleon and Dom? But she also thought herself pretty plain if they had both left her for other women. Of course that was untrue, she was just a victim of circumstance. Uncomfortable she changed the subject.
" Well do you have any weapons that you prefer?"
" My sword," he said patting his hip. Grinning he added, " I use my charming smile for the ladies."
The other men groaned whilst she laughed. She walked to the next man who was short and wiry. There was an energy about him that kept him moving, yet there was intellect reflected in his eyes. He gave her a crooked smile.
" They call me Raven. I like it fast and dangerous. These babies," showing his long knives, " are my wife, mother, and child."
" Pleased to meet you Raven."
" And you beautiful."
As she turned to the last of them, she gave Raven a look. He only winked at her. The next man-no boy- was the one that she had instantly liked. He was an inch taller than her and looked quite nervous.
" And you?"
" Name is Daren. I'm the mage, though I'm pretty good with the short sword."
" What can you do?"
" I can call for fire or light but mostly I heal."
" Good I'm betting the road to Tyra won't be as easy as it looks. I guess we better start packing before his Bastardness returns."
~ ~
Kel came down the stairs of the inn and joined her guards who were plying cards. They looked at her with a mixture of surprise and appreciation.
" What's wrong with you guys?"
" You're wearing a dress."
" Yeah. I always do during dinner. It's to remind people that I'm a… that I'm a girl."
" It's kind of obvious that you're a girl no matter what you're wearing." Raven said looking her over. A slight tinge of pink crossed Kel's features.
" Well it's habit. I've done this ever since my years as a page."
Joren who had just arrived at their table, heard the last part of the sentence.
" Done what Lump? Sleep with every man you lay eyes on?"
At that the guards frowned. The ever quiet Arric, growled softly. Kel sighed. Another bunch of overprotective males. Hearing Arric's growl Joren eyes went cold and his fists clenched.
" Have a problem with me man. Dare hit a noble?"
Arric got up. Before anything could start, Kel stepped in front of him.
" Don't bother with Stone Mountain. He's just grumpy cause he hasn't had a man in awhile. I don't know why he denies it. I really don't care about his personal activities."
Joren's fist came up but seeing people were beginning to stare, he lowered it.
" You were lucky this time Lump," than he sat down and watched the card game play out. He wasn't lonely for long when one of the innkeeper's girls sat on his lap. Kel rolled her eyes. Even though he was one of the biggest jerks alive, he always had women flocking around him.
Kel was drinking her ale when a young man came up to her to ask for a dance. Before she could reply her ever so protective guards came to her rescue. Raven feigned a dismayed look as he said to the young man.
" Sorry lad, but I have reserved her first dance, Jace the second, Arric the third, Daren the fourth and Thomas the fifth."
" Then I guess I'll be her sixth dance partner."
" Sorry again lad but my lady will be tired by then and will proceed to bed." Jace put in showing many white and brilliant teeth.
" I am sure the Lady can speak for herself." The young man said not to be intimidated. But he quickly shot up as he saw Thomas place a hand on his sword hilt.
" Later Lay." The young gent replied as he hurriedly walked away towards a group of women. Kel sighed audibly.
" He just asked for a dance, what's wrong with that?"
" We didn't like him."
" So let us dance, my Lady." Kel rolled her eyes.
" Fine let's."
~ ~
Joren watched Kel. Though he would never admit it, she looked striking. Her green dress emphasized the green flecks in her eyes. Dancing caused a flush to come to her cheeks. Though she didn't know it, she was getting a lot of attention to the males in the room. Any who dared to approach her, were warned of by glares from the guards. Her guards, he sneered. For some reason anger was brewing inside him. I've had enough of this, I'm going to the stables. Subtly he left the room.
~ ~
Kel was tired. She had been dancing for hours. So she bade goodnight to her guards and marched up the stairs to her room. She was turning a corner when she walked into a hard and muscled chest. She looked up to see Joren who had been returning to the common room. Kel felt a twinge of fear his eyes looked so warm. No, not warm there was an icy brightness in them. It was like his eyes were reflecting light. She didn't even think to mask her emotions. When Joren saw the fear in her eyes, he smiled. Suddenly he grabbed her arms yanking her against him. Her eyes widened as his head descended to capture her lips as a snake attacks its prey. Kel was totally unprepared for this passionate kiss, yet responded anyway. His lips tasted of the sweet ale they had drunk. She couldn't control the emotions spiraling through her. It was this fear that cut through the pleasure of the kiss. She was now quite angry. In her fury she kneed him hard in the nuts past caring for the delicate material of her dress. As Joren fell to his knees groaning and shielding his member, he looked up to see her face. He had never seen her react like this before. She was visibly shaking.
"You fucking bastard!" she spat out and stormed to her room slamming the door shut.
Joren couldn't help but start laughing through his pain. Maybe he did know what lesson he would teach her.
~ ~
Kel leaned against the door she had just closed. She knew that she had played into his hands by reacting so violently.
" That stupid bastard! How I despise him!"
Salt consolingly ran her beak through Kel's hair. Thing was she wasn't only mad with Joren but with herself for even seemingly enoying that kiss.
An:
I'll probably be posting one chapter a week. Just so you know. Thanx for the reviews. Later all.
