Chapter Three

AN: Yes I know I have not updated for awhile but I was working on That Morning Feeling (one of my stories) and have been busy, as well exams are here ~shudders~ so unless I want to fail I have to study as repulsive as it is. Thank you all who reviewed, I find that your comments very helpful. Warning: Some swearing, threats OOCness etc. Disclaimer: No I don't own it

The Ball

Narrator's POV

"Presenting Squire Joren of StoneMountain and Lady Squire Keladry of Mindelen!" the presenter of names announced.

Faces turned shocked and bewildered, hoping this was some cruel joke, some more than others.

Joren and Kel paused for an instant, faces serene but the inner joy of the moment shining through (who wouldn't they had the entire court in the palm of their watching them plus they were screwing with the minds of thousands!).

They started slowly walking down the white marble stairs descending in to the complete silence of the court. But not for long, soon whispers echoed through the ball room, growing louder with each passing second.

Whispered words, end of sentences passed their ears.

"Who would guess? That-

"He really has lowered himself now, I mean how could-

Were just some but perhaps the most remarkable was:

"Holy shit!" these particular words came from none other than Nealan of Queenscove.

"Kel! Why are with him? What did he do to you? You horrible monster! What have you done to Kel? And wha-

He was cut off by Joren.

"Ah, old chap! A pleasure to see you!" he reaches out and claps Neal on the shoulder in a companion sort a way, "But must be off, got a dance with a sweet girl all ready and ripe just waiting for a picking!" he winks and strides over to Kel, triumph radiating from every pore.

Neal clenches his hand and a dark frown covers his face. His shoulders hunch, his eyes burning with a cold fury. He stalks away. Those unlucky enough to be caught in his way Neal shoved out of the way.

Joren merely smirks.

He reaches out and grasps Kel's hand, bowing over hand (Kel not knowing he had a very good view of her. . . ah. . . bodice) "My dear Keladry may I ask you for a dance?" he asked he voice honeyed and sweet.

"Why, yes Joren, I shall dance with you," Kel gracefully accepts.

They start dancing amidst the hushed tones of the courtiers.

Neal's POV

That rat!

That scum of the earth!

How dare he escort Kel to the Ball!

But how did he do it?

Kel surely would not of gone unless having being pressed.

Which meant Joren had most likely blackmailed her, the scoundrel.

Joren would have to pay!

Kel's POV

Kel and Joren were dancing to a rather peculiar tune, which involved much dipping and twirling, and the stomping of the feet.

After one vicious twist Kel decided it was time to stop dancing.

"Joren," she said pulling away slightly from his grasp, "We have got to stop dancing! My back is aching and my feet are killing me."

Joren agreed.

Kel was surprised, he was actually agreeing with her; the world must be ending!

They strolled over to the punch table where a pink drink (don't ask) was spouting out of a statue's somewhat questionable area; it seemed there had been a fault in the design and punch was coming out of a lower region of the statue.

Many people were around the punch table for one reason or the other.

Getting some of the pink punch was not terribly hard and soon Kel and Joren were sipping the pink punch.

"Well. . . it has a. . . different taste," Kel offered trying to fill the blank void of non-conversation.

Joren wrenched his mouth in distaste, "Yes, it has a different taste, one almost like. . . shit!" he spat at the now frothing punch back in to his cup, this of course attracted a few stares but at Joren's condescending smirk they quickly glanced away in fright or were just amused by his stupidity, Kel mused, watching a pink coloured dribble trickled down his chin and on to his spotlessly white shirt and vest.

"Well I would not put it that wa-

Kel started before being rudely interrupted by Neal.

"You've tasted shit? What unusual tastes you have, but then again I'm not surprised, we are talking about you after all!"

Kel rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Males are so very immature!"

The males either ignored her or lost in their own battle of wills (what little they have) did not hear her.

"Speak for yourself Queenscove, it is very well known about your behavior!" he sneered as he said this.

"Oh really? Well I have heard some pretty crude jokes which I am certain are true about your behavior in bed, very crude!" Neal counted.

"You listen to that kind of lying trash? I see I am not mistaken about your tastes," Joren reckoned idly stroking his chin in a most adorable way.

"My tastes are not as nearly perverted as yours!" Neal hotly retorted, eyes twitching, hand clenching.

"Whatever you say," Joren murmured looking at Neal as one would look at a child who is wrong but stubbornly refusing to accept what is right, "And anyway, I know longer wish to lower my self to your childish level with this petty verbal fights, I have a date!"

He grabbed Kel's arm and started to lead her away but not before she gave Neal a hopeless glance.

Joren's POV

"You know you were quite rude!" Kel exclaimed glaring at Joren.

"All part of the Dare, so don't go complaining to me," Joren admonished, wagging his finger at her.

Kel was just about to say something rude when another person entered the scene.

"Keladry? Is that you? It is! Oh I am so glad to see you!" a woman's voice called.

Kel spinned around towards the voice.

"Mother?" her voice was shocked.

"Oh it is so good to see you my dear and you look so radiant in that dress!" Kel's mother complimented.

"Um. . . thanks. . ." Kel stammered out.

Her mother squinted at her and a sad expression crossed her face.

"It's happened again has it not," it was more of a statement than a question.

Kel face darkened, "I don't know what you mean Mother, maybe you should retire," her voice was consoling but a sharp edge seemed to underneath it.

"It has happened again," she repeated.

"No."

Her mother merely shook her and turned to him.

"Tell me young man has Keladry been acting. . . unusual lately?" she asked Joren her eyes looked questionably at him.

"Well, yes," he answered eyes going back and forth between Kel and her mother wondering what was happening and what Kel's mother meant.

"I see," she lowered her eyes, "How can we get rid of it this time?"

End Chapter Three

I will try to update as soon as I can.

Well please R/R!