Chapter 12: The Second Save
Joren took a deep breath. The public pool was empty, but he knew anyone could walk in at any time. Several weeks have passed since the Ordeal, and he was trying to slowly overcome his fears. Keladry have been very supportive of him, both by her constant visits and chats, and the memory of her climbing regularly to get over her fear of heights.
He was going to take a bath, quite a mundane fear to have. But he was mortally afraid that people would find out about what happened with Robert and lose all respect for him. The scars were still visible at close range, especially the ones at his back. He felt that by revealing himself this way, anyone could take a guess and he would force himself not to care.
He took off his tunic and stepped into the warm water. Ahh! The water soothed his tense muscles and made him feel a little sleepy. He thought about the past weeks. He had heard what happened to Vinson. It had shaken him to the core, thinking of all those women he had victimized. Vinson has always bragged about his accomplishments with women, but Joren had thought that those were just bluster.
He had finally talked to Garvey and the gang, telling them that he and Kel had made up. They didn't believe him, of course. They thought he was still up to something. So did most of Kel's friends. Except Prince Roald, who was always polite and friendly in that reserved way of his.
Kel told Joren that Neal believed he was sincere, but Joren didn't know if it were true. He had started eating at the hall again and Neal still avoided him. As in no words of greeting, no smiles, no insignificant small talk. He usually just looks away.
Another surprise, however, was the sudden friendship of Baron George, Lady Alanna's husband. Nobody knew much about him. He had suddenly taken to watching Joren practice and talking to him about everything and nothing when they met. And they met pretty frequently for it to be a coincidence. Joren was a little surprised to discover that he enjoyed the baron's company. He usually learns a lot about town gossip, international incidents and the nobles' latest exploits. It figured that the baron would get the fresh scoop from Sir Myles, and it flattered Joren that he was trusted this much. Of course, it's not as if he had anyone to blab these things to.
The baron seemed also genuinely interested in him and what he's doing. Sometimes, he even taught him how to throw knifes and juggle balls. Maybe he used to be in the carnival. Joren thought, musing on the mysterious baron. It figures that Lady Alanna would pick up a husband in some… Joren caught himself. He should stop these kind of thoughts, especially since he actually liked Baron George.
What he liked best about him, though, was that he could sit somewhere just thinking, and the baron wouldn't pester him at all to talk. He found himself in these funks pretty frequently. Mostly he was thinking of Neal, but he also thought about the Ordeal, and proving himself worthy of the honor of knighthood.
King Jonathan had spoken to him and asked him to work with the Yamani relations. Joren had countered that he wasn't exactly cut out for a diplomat, but the king had silenced his objections. He could still remember the straight blue gaze that seemed to see into his soul. The king had said, "I trust you, Joren."
After that, Joren listened in a daze while the king detailed his traveling plans. He was to stay with Kel's family, which scared the hell out of him. But since Baron Piers of Mindelan was the ambassador, and he would be more of an assistant, it would be logical for him to stay nearby. Still, Kel might have accepted him, but her family didn't necessarily share that acceptance. Joren also thought the king was trying to help him become humble and tactful by forcing him there. But he couldn't really say no.
The good thing about this arrangement was that it was far away from everyone at court, meaning no more pretending to be fine to people who think they know you. Joren massaged his right shoulder, which was strained in training that morning and was still tense. He really needed to relax.
The door opened, and Joren turned automatically to see who it was. Neal came in. Joren froze.
***
Neal froze just inside the door. He was clad only in his breeches, holding a towel. He had thought there was no one in the pool. He contemplated leaving, but was too embarassed to. So he stepped into the water, careful not to look at Joren.
***
Joren had half-expected Neal to ignore him, but it still hurt. He clenched his hands and tried to control their shaking. He resolved to leave as quickly as possible, without showing how deeply he was affected. He was swimming in silence for several minutes, contemplating whether he should go or not, when he heard Neal shout.
***
The cramp in Neal's side appeared without warning. He only had time to shout before he doubled up in pain. His hands gripping his side, his head submerged in the water in a soundless grimace. He swallowed water in panic, as he could feel the overwhelming darkness take him.
***
Joren reacted without thinking. He swam towards Neal and dragged him over to the side. Neal was unconscious by then, so he pushed the older boy on his stomach, and pushed at his back repeatedly. "Mithros, Mithros, Mithros." He kept murmuring, his heart loud as a jackhammer in his ribs.
Finally, after the longest minute of Joren's life, Neal began to cough, vomiting the water in his lungs. Joren was so relieved he pulled the prone body into his arms and held on tightly. "Thank Mithros." He said against Neal's shoulder.
Then he heard a voice telling him, "What happened?" Joren turned around to see Baron George entering the pool area in a run. Everything came back to him, and he immediately pulled away from Neal, his face burning.
"He almost drowned." Neal was strangely silent, as if in shock. The baron looked at Joren in that weird way of his.
"And you saved him?" It was part-question, part-statement. Joren merely nodded, and watched as the baron expertly wrapped Neal in towels and led him outside. "He probably needs a healer. Come on." He looked back at Joren expectantly.
Joren shook his head. "Uh, I've got some stuff to do. You take him. I'm sure he'll be fine." The baron didn't question his statement, merely giving him another look.
After they left, Joren sat down gracelessly on the floor. His heart was still racing, from both fear and embarrassment. I can't stay here. He suddenly decided, and started to make plans for accepting King Jonathan's offer and leaving as soon as possible.