Chapter 9: Necessary Distractions
Joren examined his pale body in the mirror in his room. Sir Myles' healer had done a good job patching him up. By now, the most visible scar on Joren was the gash on his left cheekbone, which had been very deep and was now a jagged pink line. The wounds in his torso were all completely healed, except for a particularly painful one on his side. His back, once ragged ribbons, now only held faint white scars, which can be felt more than seen.
Vinson and the others had asked him about the scar on his face. It took all of his self-control to tell them some lie about an attempted robbery. His eyes had been icy, and he had excused himself from their company early. He hoped they would chalk his behavior to nerves for the Ordeal. He couldn't make any decisions right now regarding Kel, Nealan or any of his 'friends'.
His vigil would start tomorrow.
Joren wanted to train, because he was afraid he wasn't in top condition. But Sir Paxton had told him not to exert himself too much. The Chamber of Knighthood would probably sap him of the last ounce of his strength.
So he forced himself to eat the meal that his knight master laid out for him, before doing some stretches and exercises. Sir Paxton was being extremely generous to his charge lately. He didn't force Joren to attend dinner with everyone, although serving him was one of his duties, and he even sent Joren food so he wouldn't starve himself.
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Joren's vigil would start tomorrow.
Neal was avoiding him, because it was easier to pretend the feelings did not exist if their object is perpetually absent. It was effortless on his part, since Joren almost never left his room. Neal did worry when Joren remained absent at meals, until he observed Sir Paxton ordering a plate delivered to their rooms.
He sat down at a chair opposite Keladry. He hoped his worry went unnoticed, especially since Kel herself was thinking about Cleon. His friend was planning on having her ears pierced while Cleon was on his vigil, so that she could wear Joren's earbobs to greet Cleon after his Ordeal.
The others' reactions to Joren's sudden "change of heart" were mixed. They couldn't believe he could change, but some, like the prince, were willing to give him a chance. It helped that they no longer saw Joren hang out with Garvey and the others. However, all of them were curious about Joren's disappearance from court activities, all except Neal, Kel and Roald, who had been told the basics by his father. The theories passing from mouth to ear grew wilder and wilder. Neal wanted to shut them all up. It was a good thing the Ordeal was coming up. It gave a believable, if improbable, excuse why Joren was living in isolation.
Neal's worry over Joren was worsened by what he had heard last night. He had been visiting Sir Myles, because his knight-master had requested his presence for instruction. Lady Alanna had kept at him for an hour, before sending him to summon her father for dinner. But standing outside the door to Sir Myles' study, he had heard raised voices.
Neal had hesitated interrupting the conversation, especially when he heard the voice that sounded like Baron George's say, "…you are partly responsible for what Joren… If I were a knight, I'd… Do you think money will be enough repayment?" There was a brief silence and Neal had made himself knock on the door. When the baron opened it, Sir Myles was rubbing his eyes while the baron's face remained as emotionless as usual.
All throughout dinner, Neal had wanted to ask what they were talking about. But the tense silence dissuaded him. Before he left for the palace, however, Sir Myles had asked him to deliver a letter to Sir Paxton.
Although Neal refrained from reading the letter, he had the idea that the baron had persuaded Sir Myles to act as one of the knights to instruct Joren. He agreed with Baron George. The knights were supposed to instruct the candidate while he was bathing, and so they would see Joren's scars. It was better that the ones chosen are already aware of the situation. Better for Joren, that is.
"Maybe we should go out, Neal. We'll go crazy just staring at each other." Kel's words cut into Neal's thoughts.
"I don't think I can do exercises right now Kel." With Neal's mind thus distracted, he was likely to break something, his own bones most likely.
Kel made a sound between a laugh and a sigh. "Not training, Meathead. We'll go the city, and find something to distract us."
Neal thought for a moment. He could do nothing until the day after tomorrow. "Sure."