The God's Pugna – Midwinter festival

By Imperfectionist

Disclaimer: I don't own any Tortallan stuff! I don't own any Tortallan stuff! I don't own any Tortallan stuff! I don't own any Tortallan stuff! I don't own any Tortallan stuff!

*~*~*

Joren knelt before King Jonathon and gave his oath of fealty, swearing to defend the crown and Tortall all his life. The King touched his sword with the flat side gently on Joren's shoulders and head, saying, "I dub thee Sir Joren of Stone Mountain, Knight of the Realm of Tortall. Serve honourably and well." The newly knighted man accepted his shield with the Stone Mountain arms from his father. It was the best shield that money could buy, made in Raven Armoury using Maren Titanium. He settled it on his left arm proudly, and bowed to his father, the King and Queen.

He looked around the great hall, because of the loud cheering. On the front row, he can see his mother who cried with joy. Her only son has made it as a Knight. He noticed Paxton smile with pride and he smiled back. The strong emotion he felt now was worth all the many nights worrying about surviving the Ordeal, here he is now, standing so proudly with his shield on his left arm. In his mind he can vision Shineal smiling and dancing along the ice gracefully. He can tell she was beyond proud, as he has never seen his goddess so happy. So from this day, Joren of Stone Mountain lived to serve as a Knight of the Realm of Tortall.

*~*~*

Master Oakbridge showed the well dressed pages the plan of the banquet hall, drawn by chalk on a six foot long board when all the pages reported to the server's room.

They memorised their positions in the hall. Kel was pleased to know her post was somewhere which suited her fine. It was near the end of the table, where the important people would take no notice of her such as the great nobles or the monarchs.

Suddenly she heard the royal fanfare, the King and Queen has taken their place. Calmly Kel gathered finger bowls and towels.

"Now," said Master Oakbridge.

Kel walked briskly to her post, taking in the magnificent scene around her. The walls and ceiling were draped with freshly cleaned banners and pine branches. She caught sight of the King and Queen who were blazing with colour like the other guests.

She reached her table which sat four newly knighted knights and six young, unmarried court ladies. She presented the finger bowls and towels to them, when she noticed who she was really serving.

Joren's gazed at her mindlessly, Kel just gaped surprisingly back at him. She could not believe who she would be serving for the whole entire night. And hopefully not for the rest of the entire festival.

Their eye contact broke when Kel pushed a finger bowl to his hands. He hesitated as he dipped his fingers in and dried them with a towel. She caught sight of the lines of red raw skin on his wrists. She winced as she thought how painful it looked but went back to duty when the court ladies started to giggle.

Kel kept her head low when she went back to the kitchens to fetch the first course. She spotted Owen coming from the other direction with a grim look on his face.

"I get to serve some fussy crackpots this year. It will be jolly good fun. How is your table?" He whispered.

"I'm serving some knights and six court ladies." Kel decided not to tell her friend yet who exactly is she serving as the image of him exploding in the banquet hall was embarrassing.

"Well good luck." She watched her friend go with a tray as she set off to her guildsmen. She served the ladies first then when she got to the knights. Joren whispered in her ear.

"You're doing well Lump."

She bowed politely, though confused whether to take it as a compliment.

"That's very kind of you Sir." A faint smile was placed on her emotionless face as she got back to her duty. The rest of the night went quite smoothly for Kel. Joren kept whispering civil comments or answers in her ear, which surely confused her a great deal. She wasn't sure if she actually knew him anymore. This wasn't the sort of attitude she would normally receive from him.

Before long it was the end of the evening, which all the pages who weren't so fortunate with serving felt grateful. When the diners had left and the last empty plates were given in to the servants did Master Oakbridge permit them to leave quietly.

Kel could barely keep her eyes open as she stumbled into her room and fell into a peaceful sleep after a long night.

*~*~*

"I can't wait to leave this place Shineal. I was thinking of going south. What do you think?" the blonde knight asked eagerly to his companion who sat on a chair opposite him.

"Going south sounds good", Shineal replied dully, her face saddening. Since Joren's Ordeal, Joren hasn't seen her so… troubled.

"Is there something wrong? Tell me."

The goddess let out a heavy sigh. "The problem is longer than a piece of cloth. (AN: It's a Chinese saying but I translated it) I was meaning to tell you a long time ago. It started in Marek; a new Emperor Chow Zing has come to the throne 20 moons ago. Unlike all the other Emperors in the earlier dynasty, he has different beliefs than everyone. He ruled quite well for the first half of the year, the country was well off and the Marekian people were happy. Until over night the country had suffered from a great famine. There were droughts in the summer; lands were flooded all over the country. People were starving from the lack of food and they turned to the Emperor for help."

Joren listened attentively, eager to listen to this great disaster so far away from him. "How did the Emperor act?"

"The fact is he didn't act to it at all. He claimed it was because the Marekians were dealing with dark magic when they worshiped us gods. He said the only way to stop the famine was to destroy us."

"That is a load of horse dung! Who would believe what that crack pot had said?!"

"Except the Marekians were so desperate for food that they did believe Chow Zing. He promised them food if they destroyed all the temples and things connected to us Gods and Goddesses. Soon temples were set alight, Priests were beheaded or staked.

Chow Zing kept to his word when he gave his people food but only enough to keep them alive. Soon his people rebelled against him demanding from him more food and a roof to live under.

The great famine has done so many damages to the country; it washed down homes and the forest. Lands were drained from fertility. The drought has bought no water, so many died from thirst. Nature isn't doing so well either, there are more vultures than ever as they feed on dead bodies and creatures.

So Chow Zing promises them a good standard of living if they work for him. Of course they agreed to before he told them what it was. When they found out he wants an army, it was too late to get out of it. He started the army with quite good living at first, but as more people joined, it became less pleasant.

He had a large number of mages to work for him, to create something big that even us Gods don't know. It's all so chaotic there, and I can't do anything about it."

Joren listened to it patiently to his goddess's burden. He pities her and wishes he can help her lift this burden off her mind.

"Is that it?"

"No, that's not all."

His thought of wanting to help a lot faded away at her answer.

"Some of the lesser Gods had developed some type of illness. As you know Gods don't get ill, so this is very strange. I suspect it has some like to Marek and its mages."

This has brought lots of thoughts and questions to Joren's head which can't be explained.

"Is there anything to do? I'm sure you can find someone to help you find out." He said as he stretched and lay on his bed.

"Thank you Joren for listening. I knew I haven't chosen the wrong man. Anyway how was the feast tonight?"

"Boring, though the most interesting person served me."

"Yes I do agree that Keladry is an interesting girl. Have you considered who would you take on as a squire?"

Images of a specific page fighting crosses his mind. He tried forgetting them which was easier said than done.  A smirk was placed on Shineal's face.

"I see that you like someone in particular as a squire." She said mischievously

"No I don't!" He answered back suddenly as he sat up quickly. "Alright, she's good at fighting, but I can't take her because-"

"What because she is female?" Joren hung his head low and slowly nodded. "My son, why are you so sexist about girls not being able to fight? You have a very good eye at things and even you can still see how good she is. Why deny it? I thought you wanted the best squire."

"Well… I do… fine!! Shineal you win!" he shouted as he dislike the way the Goddess had persuaded him. He glared around his new chamber angrily before stripping down to his loin cloth and jumped into bed.

"I'll decide on Mindelan later alright Shineal? Shineal?" He looked around to find Shineal has already gone. He sighed and slept. Dreaming of a slave driving Emperor in a realm far away from him.

*~*~*

That is the end chapter 8!!

Has anyone noticed that I always end my chapters with someone going to sleep? I'm really sorry it took me so long to put this up. I lost my memory stick with this chapter so I had to find it etc.  Next chapter will be up by next week.

Big thanks for those reviews. I treasure every one of them and I think every one of them are extremely special.

Thank you!!

DaughterofDeath – Sorry for long delay. I'm such an airhead sometimes you know. ;D I hope you liked this one. See you later!!!

Mandas – Thanks for those questions. Yes Joren did lie there for a very long time. If the books help he did lots of bad things so yeah. He lay there till the doors opened which is about a few hours. I don't bother with those really long descriptions, in case I bore people out of their minds. I'm really happy you are into this story and I hope you liked this chapter. See you later ;D

Jess – Aww.. you're so lush!! I feel like I can hug you if I saw you in person. See you soon :D

Lemon Parade - Cheers mate!! You're lush too!! I can't tell anyone about my further plans but I'm sure you will find out soon. Can't wait to see you really soon. :D

Angel of Wind – I can't tell you if you are right. Sorry. And why would Joren crying make this better? I actually feel sorry for him and I want to hug/kiss him I saw him crying. I'm happy you reviewed and I shall see you soon honey. J

Mystic Moon Empress - *blushes* thanks very much

Evilstrawberry – I'm about to break into tears from all these nice compliments. And thank you very very much. I loved the story 'Joren's Ordeal' it's brilliant. It's one of the main inspirations for me to write chapter 7. I hope this is enough to help you solve your addiction for this. I can't wait to see you soon :D

Silver Goddess1 – I definitely will!! Don't worry. I shall see you later J

DragonDaine – To know if Joren has changed, you will wait and see. I hope you liked this chapter J

I shall see everyone really soon.

I want to know what you think so please can you spend 1 minute for a review. Please??

If you don't well I still hope you liked it.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday!!!!

Imperfectionist ;D