The Gods Pugna – Wyldon's judgement

By Imperfectionist

Disclaimer: Hey if I own Kel, Joren & Tortall etc this wouldn't be fan fiction. It will definitely be published for everyone to read. So don't sue cos I don't own things here except the plot.

Thanks for the reviews and I'm working very hard to improve what everyone picked out and I appreciate it thanks a lot. Now enjoy…

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Kel gulped as she knocked on the heavy-duty oak door. Lord Wyldon's voice rang hard through the door when she could feel her knees weaken. Think stone she repeatedly told herself as she walked into the familiar office with Joren behind her.

Wyldon sat behind his desk and looked squarely at the female page and blonde squire. A very old thin man sat across him; Kel has seen him before, he was Duke Turomot of Wellam, the Lord Magistrate and chief examiner of pages. "Well? Are you going to explain why you did not attend the big examinations today?"

Kel stopped and stared up at him. "Sir?" Why did he of all the people ask her that? He crossed his stiff arms and stared blankly at her.

"My question was very clear and straightforward. Why didn't you attend today?" Kel pulled her Yamani mask to avoid showing him her depression. He probably think I'm not strong enough to stay here, she thought.

"You always said explanations are excuses, my lord." She reminded him. "You don't want to hear them." He continued to stare fixedly at her until he finally leant forward and said. "May I ask why Squire Joren is here then?"

"My Lord, I am just here for seeing the result with my own eyes after I found her hiding in the bushes and brought her here." He replied smoothly, he gave Kel a smirk. Her stomach was burning in a fury rage until she reminded herself of a calm lake. She took some steady deep breaths and Duke Turomot spoke finally. "Since this girl has no explanations or apologises for her tardiness to the Big Test, may I suggest she should repeat all four years as a page."

Kel just stood there in shock of what she had heard. She has been through so much and now she was told to start all over again. "It's a very good suggestion Duke Turomot." Wyldon turned to Joren. "You are dismissed Squire Joren." Joren bowed twice and left the room with a noticeable smirk on his face. Kel suddenly thought of all the good things happening in four years. If she were made to leave now, she would miss her friends; Jump, Lalasa and everything in the palace that made her feel positive.

"Page Keladry, I announce that you will repeat one year as a page. I will write a letter to your parents and make a report for the king of this. You are dismissed." Kel bit the inside of her lip as she held back tears that she knew would well up in her eyes. She bowed rigidly and left the training master's office with weak knees.

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"Go pack squire, we are leaving here tomorrow morning for a border patrol." ordered Paxton when he saw his arrogant squire in his chambers. Joren packed silently as he was too preoccupied with other thoughts.

Well Joren that was a smart thing to say wasn't it? Said a feminine voice. Joren was caught off balance but regained his calm posture quickly. "What do you want now Shineal? This isn't the time to talk to me, I need to pack."

This is more important than packing your possessions. You have left the poor girl in a mess. Not only have you been very inconsiderate of this situation and you have no idea what is justice. I feel very disappointed; I thought I finally got your head to know to correct people's wrongdoings. But no, you decide that you behave how you please and let me tell you: You have forgotten one important thing in the code of chivalry. No wonder why I've seen you won't live a day as a knight. The angry Goddess said, whose voice resembled cats hissing and spitting to Joren's ear. Shineal's last sentence repeatedly told Joren something very important. Something that made fear grows faster every second. He won't pass the chamber of Ordeal. She has foreseen his Ordeal.

"Shineal, you said something about my Ordeal. What do you mean? I won't live a day as a knight. Is it true?" he panicky asked. He just stood there looking around his room frantically. Since a long time Joren knew what the word fear meant. The goddess didn't say a word for a long while.

Yes it's true but unless you change, your fate of the ordeal may change too. At the moment I want you to give some comfort to Kel. Just do these like a fresh start of change. And don't you dare breathe a single thing about what I have foreseen. It will give you more trouble than you can handle. Not even I can predict everything in the future. So go now and do your good deed of the day.

"What now? I still have packing to do." He replied; he couldn't believe what his own ears heard. Anything to stay alive will be done. He thought. A sigh rang like bells in his head.

Be quick with the packing and make haste to get to Kel. She's a tough girl but this might be a bit too much for her to handle. Shineal left, with a cold breeze trailing behind her. Joren rubbed his arms warm and quickly threw the rest of his things in his saddlebags.

He ran down the plain corridors lit by brightly burning oil lamps to the noisy mess hall where squires and pages dine. Kel's table was extremely quieter than usual, he noticed. "Good evening Kel," he said plainly. "May I talk to you?" Kel looked up at his face emotionlessly.

"You may," she stood up cautiously and reassuringly smiled at her friends who gave her sympathetic looks. She handed her unfinished food to the servants and she walked out of the hall with her most loathed enemy. They were in an empty courtyard when she spoke.

"I want to say thank you Joren!" Her voice slightly raised, Joren just stared at her confused.

"What did I do that made you thank me?" He said arrogantly.

"You've done nothing which I want to thank you for it. Now I get to stay here for an extra year and at least you could have helped me a bit more since you have saved me from that dog Vinson." She spat his name out like vermin. She made Joren back up on a big oak tree trunk.

"Oh so I wasn't there to help you out. Now you stay here for another year. Congratulations! I feel extremely happy for you. I hope that Vinson beat you up properly."

"You don't know what he was going to do."

"Don't care what he do to you, as long as he punish you for setting foot here." He tried to move but Kel put all her weight onto his shoulders to make him stay and listen.

"You know if you weren't there it could be worse." Her voice softened. "Just before you came he tried to… he…" She couldn't get the words out of her mouth.

"What are you saying Lump? Spit it out!"

"He got me in the head after breakfast, and I blacked out." She sounded like she could cry any second, which was very unusual for Joren to see. "When I was conscious I found myself with Vinson. He has gone as far as taking off my shirt." She rested her head on his shoulder, Joren thought this was crazy and while her defences were down. He pulled her away from him by the shoulders.

"If something is this bad, cry over your bed partners!" He walked away from her but stopped brutally. "I never knew Vinson was that desperate to touch someone like you." He didn't turn round to face her and he walked away.

When he was back in his room, did Shineal voice her opinion. Would you call that comfort Joren? I'm beginning to wonder if you need a dictionary to see what the word 'comfort' meant. Strangely Joren deeply agreed with her. He nodded his head blankly.

Is that all you are going to do? You know Keladry has every potential to become a knight and she has to stay but thanks to you. You made life much harder than it needs to be for her. Poor girl. You are quite pathetic sometimes Joren. I know this will hurt your ego but it's a fact. Joren stood there feeling accused badly.

"So what are you going to do then almighty goddess?"

Of course I will do something much more helpful and beneficial for a talented mortal. Unlike some people who are so arrogant and stubborn to know what's good for everyone. Go to sleep Joren you will need the energy for tomorrow.

Shineal left, leaving Joren shivering again. He obeyed silently and went into a dreamless sleep.

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AN: Thanks for reading it and please review and tell me what you think.

Thank you for all your reviews by:

Siren Porter – well Joren saved Kel like a developed natural instinct 'you may not ignore a cry for help' but I'm so happy that you have read this. I'm touched. If Secrets Could Kill was way better than this. See ya later~

Alcapacien/Quiggles – Here's a treat for you. See ya later~

Mystic Moon Empress – I'm so happy you enjoy this. And I hope you enjoyed this chapter too. See ya later~

CelestialStar – I'm sorry this is confusing you but what happens is: a goddess called upon Joren and she can see the future so she tells him to do things after some vision (persuasions). So after a year (year where Kel is supposed to have her Big Test) he caught Vinson trying to rape Kel. Like a developed instinct he saved her but he turns his mean old self and then Kel repeats one year as a page. Get it? Well I hope that explained things. See ya later~

Rowana Silvakisma – thanks for the advice and I'm working on it. I hope Joren's character was more developed here. And I hope this was something good to read. See ya later~

Maggie – thanks for telling me and I'm going to sort it out *crosses fingers* but I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Angel of Wind

Demented Dreamer – I don't do Latin anymore (YES!) but I thought my title could cross with Latin to make it bit different than 'The Battle of the Gods' which I was going to use but it's been used and I can't think of anything else more original. And I'll sort out the ``s etc later. I was using a Hong Kong version computer, which probably made it a mess so damn computer! My plot is coming, I'll tell you it has something to do with the title and Shineal.

Well this will be updated on the 13th July as a big birthday treat!!!  Yay!! I'm going to be fourteen so check it out then. See ya later~ (REVIEW)