A/N - Reviews dictate a K/J romance, so I will oblige in the next few chapters. Might include an alternate non K/J romance ending as well. We'll see. For now, let's get on to the second chapter, shall we?

Ch.2 - Revolt

Several weeks has passed, and despite numerous attempts, Keladry of Mindelan had yet to break her sponsor of his terrorizing campaign against her. While the thought of going to Lord Wyldon had crossed her mind, she recalled her brother Anders' advice and thought better of it. She would handle this alone, with violence it need be.

The other pages seemed unaware or unconcerned with Kel's treatment, and Kel was sure that some of them most be applauding Joren, for that matter. No help there. Although, the green-eyed Nealan of Queenscove has thrown some friendly smiles her way. He didn't seem like the brawling type, and Joren kept her to busy with his chores and petty errands to allow her any time for socializing.

"Keladry, where is the food I demanded? How do you expect me to study on an empty stomach?" Joren had long since given up on any formalities whatsoever, and crushed all of Kel's resistances with punishing blows, often assisted by his pals.

"I've got homework of my own, Joren. I see you have two hands, get it yourself. Oh, but wait, you wouldn't want to break a nail, would you?" (very Un-Kel like, I know, but a few weeks around Joren would do that to her I think) she replied, careful to keep her face Yamani-smooth.

A swift kick sent the girl to the floor. She looked up into Joren's chillingly beautiful face. "I warned you once, girl, don't mess with me," he said through gritted teeth.

"You think I'm going to let you get away with this? You think I'm going to let you push me around, treat me like dirt? You don't own me, Joren, you don't have the right to tell me what to do! I'll do as I damn well please!"

Too distracted by Kel's uncommon outburst of anger, Joren did not see the fist coming until it had slammed him directly in the face. Getting onto her knees, she dragged him out of the chair and pushed him onto the floor. "Apologize to me. Now," she demanded, the force of her words shocking her as well as him.

"Never!" he resisted, and with lightning speed reversed the situation so that Kel was the one lying on the floor, held down by his strong arms. "My my my, but what spirit you have! I must admit, I admire it," a quick smile passed over his face. "But that doesn't change the fact that you have no right here!" Kel struggled against him, spat in his face.

"Why are you like this?" she asked quietly. He stared at her, surprised by the gentle tone of her voice.

"What?"

"Why are you like this?" she repeated. "Joren, why are you so filled with hate?" her hazel eyes searched his, looking for an answer to the question she had wondered for so long.

Joren was speechless. Kel blurred from his sight, and a new image emerged into his mind's eye.

"Weakness, Joren, weakness! What kind of knight will you be if you can't hold a damn sword! No son of mine will be a weakling, do you hear me? A damn female could use a bloody sword better than you! Do you want that, do you? Defeated by a sniveling, conniving, prissy bitch?" the intimidating blonde man held the cowering boy by the shoulders, shaking him as if his words didn't have enough emphasis.

"Yes, Father."

"You are going to be the best knight in the world, Joren. You hear me! Or by the Gods I'll have naught to do with you!" he shoved the practice sword into the seven year old's hand. "You're a disgrace. I can't even look at you." The man turned and was gone, without a second glance.

The image cleared, and another took it's place.

The woman looked tiny and insignificant in front of the man she was forced to call husband. "Who do you think you are, bitch! Telling my son not to treat a woman as I do! I'll treat you however I damn well please, piece of trash!" a slap sounded across the woman's tear-stained face. She tried to turn away from him, but he held her, his fingers digging into her flesh. She wanted to run, to grab her little boy and turn his face away so that he not see the punishment his father was inflicting on her. The little boy watched, for the third time this week, as Daddy disciplined Mommy. Mommy did something wrong, he thought. And now she was in trouble. And Mommy was a girl. Girls weren't equal to men, Daddy said. Girls had to be taught there place less they distract men.

"Joren, please! You're hurting me!" Kel's voice was laced with pain as Joren gripped her arms.

"Oh, Gods, Kel. I..I'm sorry." He hung his head and let her up.

"Are you ok?" she asked. She almost sounded concerned, Joren mused.

"Of course!" Joren brushed the memories aside. "Look, just get out of here. Go!"

"Fine!" She turned, slamming the door behind her. Joren stood and stared at the door even after she had gone. Why had he done that? Why couldn't he be honest with her, and himself? Why couldn't he tell her the truth, that he knew what he was doing was wrong? The thoughts were gone two seconds after they had been born. What did she care? Some stupid girl trying to be a knight? Pretending to care about why he treated women the way he did? His father was right. Wasn't he?

A/N- A little violent, I know. But I needed motivation for Joren. Review please!!