The Gods Pugna – The end of one thing, the beginning of another
By Imperfectionist ;D
Disclaimer: I don't own any Tamora Pierce stuff.
It was night fall when both Joren and Kel had placed the body of Felix into the hole they dug with their hands. Kel pulled a grim look when the grazes on her hands was covered with dirt and infections. Small stones scraped her flesh raw, and the dust created gave her irritated eyes.
Joren gazed longingly at the body of his lover, as he stroked the curls of mahogany hair. His other hand grasped one of her pearl ones as he held longingly. He bit his lips till they bled, in hope she would be given the breath of life again.
A cold hand rested on his shoulder, and he felt the chilling presence of the Goddess Shineal.
"May Felix Rose, rest in peace in the Realm of the Dead. May no grudges will prevent her from entering her new life." Said the goddess, her voice was emotionless and a monotone.
"So mote it be," croaked the blond knight.
"Joren, she has gone. Come with me; let me take you to Minerva for healing." She said comfortingly. He nodded in agreement; he ripped off Felix's brooch and sprinkled the first dirt over her corpse dress. With one lingering look, Joren left Felix in her grave.
Shineal strutted amongst the resting group of Gods, who rested to restore their powers. Joren was pulled by the ice goddess amongst weary and wounded Gods and Goddesses.
He spotted Kel lying on an altar like boulder, and the beautiful creature standing over her, is who Joren presumes is Sulis Minerva, Goddess of healing. He was intrigued by the unearthly glow which was given off by the creamy flesh of his squire when the beautiful soft hands pressed over the flesh tearing wounds. Minerva turned her head to Shineal and bowed her head in acknowledgement. Although Joren doesn't know what they are saying, he knew they were communicating.
After that, everything was a blur, but he remembered he saw a face with the unearthly glow.
Kel woke up; her limbs weighing her down. Shineal suddenly looked down on her, which caused Kel's heart to jump a beat faster.
"Kel, you should drink," Shineal lifted the girl so she sat up and leant on the shape changing boulder. Shineal lifted a stone goblet to Kel's lips and the Lady Squire drank the refreshing water gratefully. Though calm and posed she looked, Kel's mind buzzed with concerns and questions over a particular knight. She wondered where he was. Whether he was faring well? Or was he sick?
"Shineal, where is Joren? Is he alright?" She asked.
Shineal only smiled sweetly, "He's alright, and you need not worry about him. He's only behind you."
Kel turned sharply and saw Joren sleeping on a similar boulder. She pulled her Yamani mask, to conceal her slight embarrassment. She slid off her boulder and went closer to his boulder. She leant in as she studied the face of Joren. He was the most beautiful man she has seen, and his beauty sometimes intrigued her. Times like those are like this moment. Unconsciously she held his hand, feeling he held something inside, she pried it open, to reveal the silver brooch of a rose, which was worn by Felix, her friend and his lover.
"Is it time for me to wake up?" Joren said sarcastically, who still had his eyes shut. Kel thanked herself for keeping her Yamani mask on, to not betray the feeling of being surprised; she wondered how long he has been awake.
"You have been lying there for a bit longer than you usually would on a normal night." She said plainly.
"Ah, yes my squire. But last night was not a normal night." A smirk grew on his face, as he casually sits up and stretches.
"I guess tardiness makes me only more tired." He fell to his feet and began walking in circles around the boulder. Kel, noticed the brooch was still in his hand, which was held with a seemingly firm grip. Shineal appeared with a cup filled with water, and bags under her feet.
"Drink this." Before Joren could respond, Shineal tipped his head back and poured water into his mouth, almost choking him. Kel stifled a laugh as she watched the way Shineal treated Joren like a bitter mother.
"Well at least you find that amusing." He said after he recovered.
"Kel I need a private word with Joren, why don't you find the great Mother Goddess and ask for two horses for travel then pack all those bags here for your return to Tortall. I won't keep Joren for very long."
In a flash, Shineal and Joren have gone, and Kel was left standing alone in front of a boulder. Something purred and rubbed at her ankles, Kel looked down at her feet to see a black cat with astounding violet eyes. She was memorised the colour of the cat's eyes that she didn't mind the fact that the cat clawed up her, and sat on her shoulder.
Are you going to stare at me forever? Or do you want me to take you to the Great Mother Goddess?
Kel nearly jumped as she heard the male sarcastic voice, she thought she heard the cat talking to her but she denied such silliness of her imagination.
Hello! I am talking to you! Yes I know I'm a cat and I am talking to you, so don't look too surprised. I was told by the Great Mother Goddess to take you to her.
The black cat jumped off her shoulder and began to walk away with it's tail up high, when it realised Kel did not follow, he turned back.
Well come on then, we don't have all day.
Kel picked up the bags on the floor and followed the feline, and listened amusingly to the cat mumbling to itself.
Mortals these days; what is wrong with a cat talking to them? They don't mind horses but they get scared to death when a cat talks to them. What is this world coming to? I was the most highly praised animal, now they look at me like I have six heads.
The cat continued to mutter, until it stopped and sat down elegantly. Kel looked forward to see many beautiful horses of all sorts grazing at too perfect lush grass. Amongst the steeds was an extremely tall woman, whose skin was perfectly white, setting off slanting emerald eyes and full red lips. Black snaky locks fell loosely over her shoulders. Kel was already slightly intimidated by her, who stood ten feet away.
"Hello Kel," Her voice was soft and husky; however it strongly reminded Kel of a pack of belling hounds. Kel bowed so low that she almost toppled over.
"It's my greatest pleasure to meet you Great Mother." The girl's mask was held firmly in place, to not show her nervousness. "I was brought here for two horses by The Goddess of the Mountains Shineal."
The goddess smiled and sat on a nearby boulder, Kel was surprised that the Goddess was lower than her, so she sat down on another boulder. "While you are here, I think you and me should have a motherly talk."
"With all means of respect, I am sure I fine." Kel said politely, upsetting such a powerful goddess will be an extremely bad idea.
"I understand you want to keep things to yourself and that you think a Goddess giving you a motherly talk is strange, but I want to ensure that one of the two God's saviours will be more mentally prepared for what could occur." Kel was confused, but didn't let it show, the Goddess only smiled. "I understand that with your up bringing in the Yamani Islands has caused you to prevent yourself from betraying your emotions. It has saved your image in other's eyes. However at times it's best to let your thoughts slip into your face." Kel dropped her mask at the Goddesses remark and was deeply confused.
"How is your relationship with Joren?"
"We are fine thank you. He is a responsible and caring knight master."
"Did he care for you much? Remember his ex-lover Felix? Remember he would pay more attention to her and not you?"
Flashes of memories of Joren giving Felix sweetheart kisses, the way he looked at her, or the small things that Joren did to show his affections to the petit girl. A small pang of painful emotion hit Kel's heart. She shook the emotion away, as she was afraid of knowing it as something bad such as-
"I don't remember such things. He treated me as how he should treat his squire and possibly with more respect now he knows I can fight like any boy."
"Have you ever considered that he has more affection for you than just a squire?"
"I hope he considers me as a friend to him as well as his squire."
The goddess sighed as she gave up on pursuing the topic. "Well remember, vulnerability is never a weakness, it can be strength."
Two beautiful mares trotted and nudged their noses into the Goddess's side. She stroked them affectionately and they trotted towards Kel.
"These two mares would take you to Tortall, they are the best I could provide and would be wonderful companions for your journey home. I have done my part to guide you and bless you Keladry. Remember my words."
Kel kissed the Goddess's hand and felt a powerful force of magic running down her spine, which made her dizzy. The goddess turned away and began tending her horses. A hand lay on her shoulder, and she faced Joren's handsome face.
"Well, shall we get a move on then?" He asked, Kel kept silent and began fixing things onto the two mares. Once she was done Joren double checked her work, though he finds it fairly pointless as he knows she would make sure she got things are right and secure for herself, however the exercise became a routine. "We are ready to go then." Joren took a swig from his refilled flask and smoothly jumped onto a mare that stood still as she waited for the knight to settle in the saddle.
The Knight and his lady Squire set off in the midday sun, leaving behind them the end of a battle that should never be forgotten and the death of a loved one. Even though it's the end of a battle, it's the beginning of the turn of history.
The End
AN: sobs I can't believe that is the end of this. I love this story so much.
Well I'm writing a big thank you list for all my reviewers. And I love you all so much for just having interest in my little fanfiction.
Imperfectionist ;D