When the Unexpected Happens

by an anonymous geek

A/N: okay, dudes! this is the long expected chapter! Sorry it took so long. Blame my school! The teachers actually expect me to work! Ack! Okay, I'm a little out of it, and don't remember what happened in previous chapters, so don't get ticked at me if I get somethin' wrong! Okay? Oh, and I must warn you, I'm doing somethin' that is way overdone in this chapter! So don't get ticked! Well, you can if you want, but please don't kill me.

Disclaimer: I don't own nothin'

Chapter Three

Kel walked through the palace. Even after living in it for years, she still got lost at times. There were so many twists and turns, and if you didn't pay attention to where you were going, you could get lost. And this is what happened to Kel. One minute she was walking through a hall that she knew very well, the next minute she was in a place that she had never seen before. She turned around and tried to find her way back, but soon she came to a place where many halls intersected.

She ran a hand through her hair and tried to remember which way she had come. 'It must be that hall,' she thought as she turned the corner. Soon she came to a dead end. 'Maybe not.' She took another turn. She was now in a dark corridor. Trying to get her eyes to adjust to the dark, she did not see him until she had bumped right into him.

"Watch where you're going!" an angry voice yelled at her. She recognized Joren's voice.

"What're you doing here?!"

"Ke-Lump?"

Kel didn't miss the fact that he almost said her real name.

"You haven't answered my question!" she said impatiently.

"It's none of your business what I'm doing here!"

Kel inwardly cursed him. She turned away from him, and returned to trying to find her way out of there. Looking around here, she tried to remember which corridor she had come in through. 'This is hopeless. I might as well ask him if he knows how to get back.'

She turned around and found him right where she had left him. "Uh, Stone Mountain, could you possibly tell me how to get back to the upper levels of the palace?"

Joren sighed and told her the way to get out. She thanked him through clenched teeth and went on her way. Soon she found out that his instructions didn't lead anywhere. Once again she cursed him under her breath. Many hours later she finally found her way back to her room, but it was after a long time of figuring out the best way to kill Joren when she got back. She decided that a long, painful death would be best.

Shortly after she had changed and cleaned up, she received a summons from the king. She walked into the throne room. (A/N: do they deal with matter like this in the throne room? I have no idea. I have been living my life with my head in a bag.)

As she walked in, she saw the king, Sir Myles, and Joren. 'Joren? What's he doing here?' She had no time to voice her thoughts, because automatically the king started talking to her.

"Ah, Keladry. You're here! Good. Now we must get down to business. There has been a rumor of a revolt that is going to take place to overthrow me. We need you two, our best knights, to go spy it out, and find out the plans of these revolutionists. It is vital that you do not reveal your true identities. That is the basic plan. Later, Sir Myles will give you the details. Any questions?"

Kel asked, "Why us, Sir? I mean, neither of us has any real experience in spying. Wouldn't one of your more accomplished spies be better at this?"

Sir Myles answered, "Keladry, you and Joren were chosen because of your skill in combat. There is sure to be trouble down there, and we don't want somebody who can't protect himself there. And I am sure that you two will be great at spying."

Kel looked at Joren. She did not want to spend months with him!

"But, Sir-"

King Jonathan interrupted, "Keladry, please don't question this. I understand you two aren't the best of friends, but Tortall needs you." This quieted Kel, but she still didn't want to do it, neither did Joren.

~ * ~

"I am not going to pretend to be related to her!" Joren thundered.

"Oh, come on, Joren. You don't have it that bad. I have to pretend to be related to you, and I assure you, that is much worse!" Kel stated, with her "Yamani face" on.

Joren glared at her. She smiled. It was so much fun to infuriate him.

This was the deal:

Joren and Kel were to go to this city (Agedir) where it was rumored that the revolutionists met and conspired. They had to change their names, and pretend to be commoner siblings. Joren was Talyn the farmer, and Kel was Heryn, his sister. Kel was forced to dye her hair black, so she could not be recognized easily, but Joren had to do so too. He was infuriated by this.

"I am not going to dye my hair!" he yelled.

"What, Joren? Afraid you won't be so pretty anymore when you look in the mirror?" she asked sweetly. It took all his willpower not to slap her. Instead he once again glared at her. Kel was surprised that he didn't yell back at her. He was improving at little, and that was a lot to say for Joren. All the years she had known him, he had always been the same easy-to-anger person, but now he held back. It was very strange.

~ * ~

Kel looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She had just dyed her hair black, and had cut it shoulder length. It had recently gown quite long, down to her waist, and now she had to cut most of it off. She reluctantly put on the near rags that she was expected to wear.

Not regularly was she picky with clothing, but this was terrible. Her dress was a pale brown color, and she had to wear worn out boots to go with it. She sighed again, and picked up her meager luggage. Since she was pretending to be poor, she couldn't bring many things. She walked out her door, and there stood Joren. She laughed at the sight of him.

"There isn't anything funny about this, Lump. You look just as bad."

Joren was wearing practically tattered breeches and a cream white cotton shirt. His hair was so black that it was nearly blue, and it was quite a contrast to his pale face.

Kel continued laughing quietly, and he glared at her. After she had said goodbye to a few people, they were off.

~ * ~

Okay, that really stunk and was totally cliche. And there was no romance stuff! Ack! Don't kill me! Sorry that it was so short, too, but I need to do some homework! Algebra 2 really stinks! Especially when you're doing it at the age of 13!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next chapter!