Chapter 13: Break the Silence
King Jonathan didn't comment on Joren's sudden change of heart. He didn't even comment on Joren's request that the knowledge of his departure be kept from the others. He just wrote the letter to Keladry's father, and asked him to report to Sir Myles for some sort of debriefing.
"Sir Myles? This isn't some spy mission isn't it?" Unbidden thoughts appeared, and his face paled.
The king was quick to reassure him. "No! But there are some things you have to know about the Yamani relations. Sir Myles will give you a general background of what to expect. I know you've learned about the islands in your classes, but what we teach a student and what we teach a diplomat are very different things. I also suggest you brush up on etiquette. The Yamanis take their bows very seriously."
Joren didn't even crack a smile. He nodded dutifully, the fear still lingering in his heart.
***
Sir Myles have given him a rundown of the important princes and princesses Joren would have to deal with. He was starting his lecture on a diplomat's responsibilities when they heard a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Myles called out, absently thumbing a dusty book on diplomacy.
"It's Neal," said the voice on the other side. "Lady Alanna sent a message."
Neal! Joren went hot and cold in panic. But Sir Myles didn't notice his face. He eagerly opened the door to admit the squire.
"Er, yes. I did send for a message. Would you like some tea? I have to reply to this." Sir Myles gestured at the chair before going to an adjoining room to write a response.
Neal nodded at once, knowing the tea included some of those warm biscuits he really loved. His eyes adjusted to the dim room, and he almost gasped aloud when he saw the other person inside. "Joren? What are you doing here?" Neal flushed, he spoke without meaning to.
Joren shifted on the chair uncomfortably. He wasn't sure he liked Neal's attention on him after all. "Uh, Sir Myles was just telling me about something." He eyed a piece of biscuit in his hand, afraid to look up into Neal's face. Please! Don't let him ask.
Neal wavered. Obviously Joren didn't want him to know. But suddenly everything that happened seemed to crash into him. He looked at the white-blond locks and the twisting fingers, and all he could think about was the feeling of being in Joren's arms. "O-oh, I didn't really have a chance to thank you. F-for, you know, everything." Neal's ears turned red, but he forced himself to look at Joren head-on.
Joren looked up in disbelief. He had already given up on hearing those words from Neal's mouth. He saw how uneasy the older squire was, and instinctively wanted to set his mind at peace. "It's ok. You'd have done the same for anyone." They stared at each other, and the silence stretched between them.
Joren blurted out, "I'm leaving in six days." Then he blushed and looked away again.
In shock, Neal asked, "Where are you going?"
Joren breathed slowly, trying to control his racing heartbeat. "T-the King wants to send me to the Yamani Islands to help out the ambassador, as a diplomat of some sort."
Yamani Islands. Neal thought bemusedly of distances and ships, before things clicked. "Does Kel know?"
Joren nodded. "Yeah. I'm staying with her family. I, uh, asked her not to tell anyone."
But Neal didn't seem angry that he had not been told. He merely stepped closer to Joren before whispering, "Take care of yourself." Joren didn't know if he saw sadness on his face, or relief.
The door to the adjoining room opened, and Neal jumped away from Joren in startlement. Sir Myles appeared, and handed Neal a sealed envelope. "Here you go. Now take some of the biscuits, m'boy. They're fresh from the oven. And then no detours on the way back, ok?"
Neal nodded and did as he was told. But before he left, he shared a long look with Joren. They would have to talk. Before the six days are over!
Neither of them noticed the twinkling eyes of Myles of Olau watching their every gesture. He wasn't called the spymaster for nothing!