Upon nearing the inn, Kel sped up. Passing the innkeeper as she quickly ran up the stairs, she yelled at him to fetch cloth towels and cold water. Kel opened the door to Joren's room without knocking. There was no time for courtesy or pleasantries. At first sight the room seemed to be empty. Joren's packs were full and leaning on the edge of the bed. Kel looked around frantically wondering if he had left the room. If he had he could be anywhere. Fortunately the silence of the room alerted her to whimpering from behind the door. Closing the door slowly and carefully Kel knelt to be on eye level with her fellow knight.
" Joren can you here me? Come on Stone Mountain focus." She fell back in surprise when Joren's arm shot out and gripped her arm.
" I'm so cold. So cold it hurts. It's so cold that I'm burning. I'm burning inside." The last was spoken high pitched enough that it was almost a shriek.
" It's okay Joren. Come lie down. You'll feel better." Warily she helped him up and led him towards the bed. She did not like the way Joren was acting.
Laying down he curled into himself until he was in a fetal position. " I was so lonely. You left me. I was all alone." Joren started to shiver uncontrollably.
A bit surprised Kel answered, trying to sooth him, patting his back a bit awkwardly. " Remember we were going to take the ship across the Inland Sea. I was waiting for you at the docks."
Joren turned to her unshed tears in his eyes. " No you left me. You did it on purpose, we aren't even friends remember. You don't like me."
Though Kel tried to console him, Joren seemed not to be listening to her words.
" No! You left and I was alone. Like always. Always alone!" Before Joren had been speaking in a sad almost pathetic tone. But now his words sounded angry.
" You left me Keladry and look what happened to me. Look at me!" he shouted. " I can feel it. I can feel the drugs in my veins." Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear. " Kel you better run. I'm no longer in control. I don't know what I am going to do."
Startled Kel stared into Joren's eyes. They were a deep and drowning blue. His pupils were dilated. She could feel him struggling to control himself. Pushing herself away from him she climbed off the bed. She was well and truly frightened. The dragon's sleep was taking full affect, jumping from emotion to emotion. He was no longer hysterical. Now he was on the border of sanity altogether. Kel was escaping to the door when she felt herself being lifted and thrown onto the inn bed. Wide eyed she attempted to roll off the bed, but was stopped when Joren's full body length pushed her deeper into the bed. Turning she tried cajoling him into letting her go though she knew there was no point.
" Come on Joren let go of me. Let me help you. You're not feeling well. I can help you." She stopped talking when Joren buried his face into her hair.
" Kel your hair smells like cinnamon and something else. I don't know what it is." Pinning her body firmly to the bed with his arms and legs his head started to descend.
" Joren stop. What are you doing?" Kel asked a little panicked though she doubted he was about to hurt her. She knew she could throw him off of her, but she didn't want to provoke him, or hurt him.
Nuzzling her cheek then her neck he replied. " You smell nice. So fresh, quite tempting." He grinned against her skin.
Suddenly his head jerked, looking up at her surprised. Then he started laughing. He laughed so hard that tears began to run down his face.
" Joren are you okay?" Kel asked confused. She didn't know if him laughing was a good thing or bad.
" Look at what it has done to me. I mean isn't it hilarious? I've got you pinned to my bed and I don't even really understand why." Slumping, Joren's head fell to Kel's breast.
" I can't even control myself. I'm cold with sadness and loneliness, than burning with anger or desire. I'm just tired now though. Just tired." Joren fell quiet. Frozen Kel wondered what was wrong with him now. Slowly she lifted her head wary of his next mood change. She let out a small sigh of relief when she found him to be sleeping.
Kel slowly shifted position so he was no longer pinning her down. Carefully she examined his face. He was pale. Even paler than usual. His hair lay lankily over his face, because sweat had soaked through it. A frown creased his forehead. While heavy bags lay under his eyes. Suddenly a timid knock interrupted her musings. Sighing she got up and opened the door to see the innkeeper and a maid- who held a basin of water and towels.
" I've brought what you've asked for, my Lady. Is there anything I can do?" He was careful to stay behind the maid when asking.
Kel just shook her head, careful not to show what she thought of the innkeeper. Right, you come to the rescue after you stop hearing the yelling. It's amazing how you're still in business. Not that I can really blame the man.
" No that will be all. Sir Joren and I will remain here for a while longer though." Smiling at the plain looking maid, she took the offered towels and basin then closed the door. Without the distraction of the innkeeper, Kel noticed that a lot of colour had returned to Joren's face. Actually, too much colour. He had also become a bit restless. A bit concerned, Kel touched Joren's forehead to discover that he was burning up. Of course, a fever. This is going to be one long day and probably night as well. Dipping one of the towels into the basin, Kel began her attempt to cool Joren down.
~ ~
Joren awoke slowly, his mind slipping into reality. He could remember some things, just before the drugs took full affect. He remembered the maid entering his room with some bread, cheese, and fruit juice. He could also recall the look of glee in her eyes when he gulped down half of the drink. The cruel smirk on her face when she rolled up her sleeves and showed Codane's mark on her left wrist. Joren rose slowly, glancing about the room. Good, I'm in the inn. Concentrating, he tried to think of what had passed during his high. More like my all time low. Suddenly an animalistic growl escaped his throat.
Disrupted memoriesThe packing was all done. I stood by the window watching the distant docks. I had learned earlier that Kel had already left. I already knew why. Aidan Senar scared her, well at least made her uncomfortable. I didn't really know why. His presence was mildly bearable. A compliment in my books. Too bad I had been wrong.
Kel was there with me. Trying to help me. She was attempting to soothe the effects of the drug. She wasn't having much luck-
Joren shook the corrupted thoughts out of his head. I can't even fucking think straight! But there was something he knew for sure. He had shown Kel a moment of weakness. She had seen him at his most vulnerable. Something that never happened to him…as long as his father wasn't the cause of his distress. Forget that! The Lump is probably laughing at me. She's probably going to tell all her friends how cold bastard Stone Mountain was crying like a baby, in her complete control. Talking about the Lump, where is she?
As is if Kel had heard his thoughts, she walked into Joren's room with a bowl and a couple of damp cloths. Sitting on the little space left on the bed, Kel prepared a wet cloth to lie on Joren's head. That is until she saw blue eyes staring at her, blue eyes that were stained in cold fury.
" So have you been enjoying yourself Lump?" he asked, his eyes daring her to continue administering to him.
" Not exactly. I have been awake for almost three days straight trying to break your fever." Kel's hands rose to the challenge, as she undid the wrap on his forehead and exchanged it for the damp cloth. Joren was not amused.
" So how many letters have you written, Lump?"
" One, to update the king's council of course. Was I supposed to write more?" Kel asked a bit confused.
" Please! What did you write to your friends? Did you explain to them how much of a failure I am? Did you tell them how I got drugged by one of Codane's bitches? You can tell me. I can't stop the letters now!" Joren said furiously, pushing away Kel's helping hands.
" Listen Joren. You made an honest mistake so what. I don't know what you're going on about. I mean I am not that pathetic. Just because you would of taking advantage of my vulnerability doesn't mean I would do the same to you. And here I thought we were beginning to understand each other!" Kel snapped.
Joren let his head fall into the pillow limply. It must be the drugs. After all, Kel is too god cursed good to do anything like that. Shit now she's pissed with me! I just HATE not being in control!
He sighed. " Kel just leave. And thanks for…for taking care of me." Joren said slightly apologetic, though the last words were a bit choked.
" Right Stone." Kel knew that was about all the apology she was going to get out of Joren. Rolling her eyes she left the room. Who ever knew that saying thank you was so hard? Jeez Joren! You sure make life hard on yourself.
With a last shake of her head she left for the stables, she needed fresh air.
Well that's the Chapter Folks!
See ya Later!
