They had been on the road for three days now. There were frequent stops to let Kel and Arric rest though they protested that they were fine. Kel had been distancing herself from the others, even Jace, becoming quiet even for herself. During the night her restlessness was often heard, only to be stopped when she would quietly rise and leave their encampment. Her eyes soon became shadowed from lack of sleep. To avoid speaking with the others she would often stay around Arric. Joren couldn't take it anymore. He stormed over to where she lay resting against a tree.
" I knew you shouldn't of come. Look at you. Not only do you look like a man but now you look like a street rat also."
Kel didn't even grace him with a glance. " Leave me alone Stone."
Pulling her up by the lapels of her tunic, he forced her to look at him. " Listen bitch, I don't know what's wrong with you and I don't even care. But you better get off your sorry ass and stop sulking. If you want to go home…LEAVE! If not pull your act together."
With that said Joren dropped her at the base of the tree. When he met her eyes he almost smirked, she seemed about ready to slit his throat. Better than her feeling sorry for herself. He arched an eyebrow and walked away.
~ ~
Kel lay where Joren had dropped her, her eyes dark with anger. What the hell is his problem? A voice within her replied. You. He's right. You have been acting like a spoiled noble brat lately. Instead of sulking, you could always do something productive. Geez! The whole point of you being out here is to catch the immortal born ass. Maybe Joren was right. You should be sent home. One person dies and already you've given up. Shut up! I will never give up. So go back to where ever you came from.
" I can't believe it. I'm fully having a conversation with myself," Kel muttered under her breath. " I'm insane."
~ ~
To say the least everyone was much happier when they arrived at the Waterdeep Inn. Not only were tempers running much more smoothly but they would be resting in a bed for the first time in two weeks. After stabling the horses, they all gathered at a table to have their supper. That is, everybody except for Joren. As usual he was kissing up to the local young wenches. Not that Kel cared, I mean if he wants to act like an ass that's his problem not hers.
So she continued joking and speaking with the rest of her guards, deciding she would enjoy her last couple of days with them to the fullest. That is until a shadow fell over their table.
" By any chance would you be Keladry of Mindelan, Lady Knight of the kingdom of Tortall?" Kel looked up to meet the very dark eyes of a middle aged Tyran. Her open expression swiftly changed to that of an impassive woman.
" To whom am I speaking?"
" I am Aidan Senar. And I'll be arranging transport for you across the Inland Sea."
" Well than have a seat. I will go get my traveling companion. Excuse me." Kel nodded to the men, before leaving the table.
Searching the inn, Kel saw Joren's white blond locks heading for the stairs with a tall red head at his side. Calling out his name, Kel followed them. She reached them just at the foot of the stairwell.
" What do you want, Lump? I'm kinda busy right now. Go bother someone else."
" Well this is business. It seems Aidan Senar has found us, it's time for us to go make our arrangements."
" Like I said Lump, I'm busy."
" Look we need to do this now so we can catch the next ship, so get off y-"
" Is this the girl Joren? She doesn't look like much." Kel turned to the husky voiced woman beside her, and shook her head.
" Slut!" she claimed in an undertone. She turned back to Joren to finish arguing with him. Well, she was until long painted nails dug themselves into her arm.
" I'm sure you just didn't call me a slut, honey." The red head said, sugar sweet and threatening.
" Can you please remove your nails from my arm." Kel asked as always polite, though her eyes were quite cold.
Joren just backed up a step, waiting for the two young women to duke it out. Though he passed on a bit of advice to the red head.
" Lillix you might want to listen to the Lump. She looks a little mad." His smirk was wiped off his face when Lillix responded.
" Shut up Pretty Boy, the only thing you're good for is a good lay." Lillix snapped while staring into Kel's eyes and digging her nails deeper.
" Now listen here bitch. No one calls me a sl-"
Unfortunately, Lillix was unable to finish her sentence because Kel's fist was firmly imprinted in her face. She watched emotionlessly while blood poured from the other girl's nose.
" I did ask nicely. Come on Joren. I am not in the mood." Without making sure he was following her, she headed back to the table. Joren decided he didn't feel like trying her patience, so started walking towards the table.
" Joren where are you going? Help me."
Sneering he reminded her of her words. " Remember Lillix, I'm just a Pretty Boy. Only good for a lay."
~ ~
They had been discussing travel arrangements for an hour now. There seemed to be only one boat traversing the Inland sea in two days. If they missed that boat they wouldn't catch another for the next week. And as both knights knew, they were getting short of time. Well that wasn't really the only problem. There was something wrong with Aidan. He seemed nice and polite, he certainly knew his trade, but there was something about him that bothered Kel. When she looked at him it was like shadows surrounded his form. But none of the others noticed it. Actually, it looked like all the men liked him. But she… she felt nervous around him. In fact he gave her quite the headache.
So she started looking for the signs of a sneak. But there was nothing wrong with him. There were no lies, no slight hesitations. She even found a way to look at his left wrist. But there was no mark. Not even a scar. She could have even liked this man if it wasn't for her unfounded suspicions. Maybe she should just leave it alone. But she can't, there is really too much at stake. Better just to watch him and his movements. Kel was suddenly startled out of her thoughts.
" Kel. Kel?" Daren asked a bit worriedly.
" What?"
" Lost you there for a minute. Anyways aren't you going to bed? I thought you wanted to see us off tomorrow. You do remember that we are leaving early?"
" Yeah.Yeah. I'll be going to bed no." Looking a bit dazed she stood up.
" Why Lump? Are you going to bed with Daren? Isn't he a bit young?"
Kel was so out of it she didn't even answer and just headed to their rooms. Aidan's presence was giving her a headache and her bed seemed to be the only thing that would get rid of it.
~ ~
It was the morning of Kel and Joren's departure for Carthak. She stood standing at the edge of the harbor thinking of the departure of her guards the day before. She had been really sad when they left though she hid her feelings underneath her Yamani shell. Those men had become good friends with her. They were trustworthy and humorous, and most of all they were loyal. She had hugged all of them goodbye before they left. And they had promised to keep in touch. Those thought were pushed away to think of Aidan Senar.
Luckily after their first night at the inn she never saw him again. That was probably because she had locked herself in her room. She had decided to devote all her time to learn the unveiling of illusions. And her hard work was gratified when she finally learned to see the candle that was the frog. Now Joren can't tease her about being worthless to the quest.
" Speaking about Stone Mountain, where is he? There is only an hour till boarding." She was surprised when a voice replied.
" You shouldn't worry about him. Joren is a big boy." Kel turned to Aidan's voice.
" Hello Master Sena-" Kel suddenly stopped. There was something wrong with Aidan. Shadows surrounded him. What? Wait! He's an illusion!
" Who are you?"
" What are you talking about Kel? You know my name is Aidan Senar."
But Kel wouldn't believe it. Before her eyes she could see "Aidan's" body changing to something else, someone else. She gasped as she recognized who it is. Coal black eyes and hair. Hiding her fear she spoke to him.
" You're Codane."
The man before her narrowed his eyes. How could she know who he was?
" Child if I were you, I would forget this stupid search. I am much wiser and stronger than you. Quit this, afore it is too late."
" What are you doing here? What do you want? Shouldn't you be searching for the chalice?"
" I am. I'm leaving now. I'll be seeing you in the future."
In a blink of an eye he was gone and so was the ship that was supposed to take her and Joren across the Inland Sea. Only one thing was left. Joren's long knife was lying on the ground. After picking it up, Kel noticed a clear substance on the blade. She smelt it. Dragon's sleep?! A Yamani drug, that could keep someone down under for over 36 hours. Shit! With that last thought Kel started running for the inn… and a healer.
