Traveling With My Worst Enemy
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: Wyldon does ballet, Alanna fainted because she broke a nail, Jon isn't an egotistical idiot, Daine hates animals, Numair can't do magic, Neal loves vegetables, Kel is madly in love with HaMinch, Joren is ugly, and I own everything.
A/N: I can't believe I'm doing this instead of my other stuff! I'm so, so sorry... but I've had the urge to write a K/J fic for a while now. And again, thanks to all my reviewers!
oceanspike – Wow! Thanks a lot! Yes, there will definitely be some K/J action later, but first I have to make them hate each other. It may take a while, but I swear it'll come!
Mystic Moon Empress – It's kinda funny that I write K/J, 'cause I used to really hate it. And you're welcome!
Imperfectionist ;D – Thanks! And yes, I loved that story. This is my only K/J, though.
Nolee of Stone Mountain – AFTER ALL THAT TIME YOU WERE TELLING ME TO PUT THIS UP, YOU WEREN'T MY FIRST REVIEWER??? And what the heck prompted you to give me that random anon. review? I swear I will never understand you... at all...
PsychoLioness13 – You thought it was that original? Thanks!
DaughterofDeath – Thanks!
angelo dell'inferno – Thanks for reviewing!
Xelena – Thanks! I have a really long, weird plot planned out, but it'll probably be changed... such is the whim of my muses.
mepb – Thank you!
The Weaving Wheel – LOL, thanks! It's not going to be a comedy, but I just HAD to include Neal and his abhorrence to vegetables.
dracorium – LOL! Thanks!
dizzydragon – Cool name! Isn't that plot so much fun? LOL
Y'know, I don't usually swear much, so I wasn't going to include much swearing in here, but... it's really hard to write Joren's character without having him swear. So sorry if it offends, I'm trying to keep it to a minimum.
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When Keladry awoke the next morning, anyone watching her would have thought it was any other day in her life. She stretched out, exercised with her glaive, and dressed for breakfast. As she was about to leave her rooms, however, there was a loud rap on the door.
Opening it, Kel expected to see Neal or some of her other friends. What she wasn't expecting was the sullen, tired blond lounging outside her doorway. "Let me in."
Kel didn't move. "Learn some manners, Stone Mountain. We're stuck together indefinitely, like it or not."
Joren sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was obviously too tired to argue. "Please let me in?"
Kel stepped aside, quickly shutting the door behind him. "What do you want?" she asked suspiciously. It wasn't in Joren's character to say please unless he wanted something, and certainly not to her.
Joren didn't answer at first. He inspected the room carelessly, his eyes taking in last night's clothes strewn on the floor and the twisted sheets on Kel's bed. "Who was it last night?"
The lady knight's face snapped into outraged anger. "I am no slut or whore, unlike you, Stone Mountain," she hissed. "And if you think I'll be sleeping with you on this... journey, you're dead wrong." Regaining control of her temper, she leaned against the wall, her Yamani mask back in place. "What did you want?"
"I wanted to know if you were ready. I can have our horses saddled now. Sir Myles also wants to talk to us at the stables."
Glancing at her wardrobe, Kel nodded. "I'll meet you there in a few minutes."
It didn't take her long to empty most of her belongings into a small traveling bag. As an afterthought, Kel fetched some thread and a few needles. Lalasa was right – she was definitely going to need them.
When Kel reached the stables, she saw Joren holding the reins to two horses. He seemed to be arguing with Myles heatedly over something.
When she drew nearer, Joren glared at her. She shot him a scornful look, then turned to Myles. "What's wrong?"
The older man sighed. "Nothing, dear. I was just going over the plans with Joren and he isn't being very amicable about it. Now, the plan is for you to travel as merchants. I've given you a large purse – I want you to actually make a few deals so that if anyone checks up on you, it'll show safe. Naturally, because it would be frowned upon for two unmarried people such as yourselves to travel together, you will pretend to be engaged. Once you reach – "
"WHAT?"
Myles sighed. "Dear Mithros, I know you two aren't exactly friends, but I had hoped you would act responsibly."
"Responsibly?" Joren spat. "You don't seem to understand. I made her life miserable from the moment she came to the palace. She got my friends convicted under charges at the Temple of the Moon Goddess. We manage to be civil to each other, but that's it. And now you're sending us off into a foreign country for the Goddess only knows how long, and you want you to pretend to be engaged as well?" His handsome features were twisted into a disgusted glare.
Myles looked down his nose at the younger knight. "Stone Mountain, control yourself," he said coolly. "You both agreed to this mission. You will carry it out as I see fit." Ignoring the furious stares of the two enemies, he continued detailing their plan. When he was done, he shoved the various papers into Joren's arms. "Keep these with you. If you don't follow them, I'll know. Trust me." Kel briefly thought that the old man looked slightly like a wolf – a dangerous, wise wolf. "You'd better get going now, before anyone comes out." Myles looked at them seriously. "A lot depends on you two. Please don't ruin anything." He clapped them each on the back and strolled away, whistling innocently.
Kel glanced at Joren. He was avoiding her eyes. "Hurry up, Mindelan, we don't have all day," he snapped, checking his horse's buckles.
Kel swung into Hoshi's saddle and rolled her eyes. This was going to be a long, tedious journey...
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They rode in silence for most of the day, cautious of all strangers they met. Kel and Joren both wore simple peasant's garb, hoping to attract less attention. They firmly stuck to the Great Road East, and were thankful to find that most passersby paid them no attention.
That evening, as they neared Goldenlake, they began to bicker softly. "The horses need to rest," Kel murmured. "They're been walking all day."
Joren drew himself up. "My stallion is capable of galloping all day. It's not my fault your mare is a weakling." He patted his horse's neck.
Kel glared at him. "Hoshi is perfectly able to do that as well, but they will need to stay fresh. They need their rest if we're planning on riding them all day for a week or two."
In the end, once the bitter words had finished falling from their lips, they stabled both mare and stallion at a small inn. Inside, Joren ambled over to the elderly woman who was carefully making marks in a ledger. "We need tw – " he began to say loftily.
"A room for the night," Kel interrupted firmly. "If it's available." She twined her arm lightly through Joren's and smiled shyly.
The woman looked up at them. "Of course, loves. My name is Sarah, and if you need anything, please let me know." She picked up a large key ring and removed one. "Here, let me show you to your rooms."
Kel giggled uncharacteristically. "Oh, thank you ever so much."
Once they were safely inside their room, Joren whirled on Kel, his eyes blazing. "What in the Black God's name made you ask for one room?" he hissed.
Kel scowled right back. "We're engaged, remember? If anyone comes asking after us, we need that woman to tell him or her she saw a couple come through here – not two individuals. And you need to drop the lordly attitude. You're not a noble, you're a merchant."
Muttering something in a dire voice, Joren began to lay his bags on the bed. "What are you doing?" Kel asked in a clipped tone.
He didn't bother to look at her. "You're the one who asked for a single room. I don't know where you're sleeping, but I'm taking the bed."
Cursing softly, Kel laid the extra blanket on the floor. When she turned around, Joren was staring at her. "What?"
"You didn't fuss or say anything about needing a soft bed," he informed her. "That's what a proper Court woman does."
Kel laughed harshly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly a proper Court lady. I've been fighting you boys – and beating you – for years now." She began to clean her teeth.
"Beating us?" Joren stood over her, furious. "You're nothing but a slut who was so desperate for attention that she had no way to get a man other than to join them. You're no knight."
Kel looked at him coolly. "You're the one who almost died in your Ordeal." He didn't reply. "They dragged your body out of the Chamber, and you were so wrapped up in the Black God's clutches they thought you were dead," she continued. "It was nothing but a miracle from the Gods that you survived. And now you're telling me I'm not a knight?"
Joren grabbed her shoulders roughly and dragged her to her feet, his blue eyes glittering in the flickering candlelight. "You listen, bitch," he spat. "You have no idea who I am or what happened that night. You couldn't possibly understand what my life has been like. Don't talk about things that don't concern you. I passed my Ordeal, but you... you had to cheat to win, and we all know it." He shoved her roughly against the wall. "Understand me?"
Kel looked coldly into his eyes. "You're the one who doesn't understand, Joren."
For a moment neither said anything. Then Joren let go of her shoulders and turned away. Without a word, he blew out the candle, removed his tunic, shirt and breeches, and slid into the bed.
Kel quietly removed her confining dress in the darkness, thinking about what had just happened. Ever since that first time she'd seen him bullying the younger boys, she'd wondered what had made him into that cruel monster. It wasn't the vigorous training of pages and squires, because many said he had been sullen and moody even before his training began. She tried to think of the largest influence on her life from her birth to that day she had left her home, and she realized that his family – especially his father – would have been the ones to do this to Joren.
She rolled over and frowned when she remembered Lord Burchard of Stone Mountain. He had stormed into her room the night of Joren's Ordeal, screaming that she had killed his son. Kel had no doubt that she could have died had not Raoul and Buri been nearby. He was a stubborn, ornery man who was one of the oldest conservatives in the realm. Later, when Joren finally awoke, he still didn't apologize for the incident. Too proud and obstinate, she thought humorlessly. No wonder Joren's like that.
Keladry glanced at the figure in the bed. Joren was obviously asleep, but his body jerked. "No," he whispered. "No, I swear I'll do it... Father, please!" He suddenly curled up, as is he had been kicked. "I never meant to... please, no! Leave her alone!" He emitted an anguished cry, louder than before. "She meant no harm, Father! Don't hurt her!"
Joren's voice had risen, and Kel suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs. She quickly got up and sat on the bed next to Joren. The door opened, letting a dazzling white light enter the room. "Dear, is everything all right?" Sarah whispered. "I though I heard something."
Kel smiled brightly. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was thirsty, so I got up to get a drink."
Sarah glanced at Joren. "Handsome one, there. You've good taste in men, dearie." She winked at Kel. "'Night, then."
As the door shut, Kel relaxed. Turning over, she studied Joren's face. He was silent now, but his body moved, as if he was being beaten. His face was twisted in anger and sadness, and Kel realized that this was the true Joren. His mask, so much like her own, protected him from the outside world.
She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and he woke immediately. For a moment, he stared at her. "Wha – Karline?" he whispered hoarsely.
Kel stared at him. "Joren, it's me. Keladry of Mindelan."
Joren blinked for a moment, then sat up quickly. "What the hell do you think you're doing in my bed, undressed?" he snarled.
Kel colored and crossed her arms. She has forgotten that all she wore was a shift. "You were dreaming," she informed him. "You began to talk in your sleep, and I had to quiet you before Sarah came. Thankfully, by the time she got here, you had shut up. I didn't have any time to get dressed; the more immediate problem was that if Sarah saw me sleeping on the floor, she would have suspected something."
When Kel looked up at Joren, he was even paler than usual. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked softly. "You were pleading and calling out – "
"It was nothing, Mindelan," Joren said sharply. "None of your Gods-damned business, so leave me alone!" He rolled over so he faced away from her.
Kel sat in the darkness for another moment, watching the still figure before her. His chest rose unevenly, like he was trying not to cry out. After a few minutes, his breathing settled down to a more regular beat. Thinking he must have fallen asleep, Kel began to rise from the bed.
Joren's hand darted to her arm. "Mindelan, if you ever repeat anything I said, you'll regret it," he hissed.
Kel wrenched free. "I wasn't going to," she told him quietly. Lying down on her blanket again, she tried to think about what had happened. Who was Karline, and had Burchard truly beat his son or was it nothing but a nightmare? Kel struggled to hang on to her thoughts – she needed to sort this out – but sleep overtook her and she closed her eyes.
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A/N: Wow, six pages... pretty good, for me at least. Hope you like it! Oh, and Nolee dearest? Sorry to disappoint, but you'll have to wait a chapter or two (or three) to come in, I'm afraid. I know, you're devastated, right? coughcough
Please review? I'd like to see what you guys think. Are Kel or Joren IC or OOC? I need some feedback here, people! Thanks!
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: Wyldon does ballet, Alanna fainted because she broke a nail, Jon isn't an egotistical idiot, Daine hates animals, Numair can't do magic, Neal loves vegetables, Kel is madly in love with HaMinch, Joren is ugly, and I own everything.
A/N: I can't believe I'm doing this instead of my other stuff! I'm so, so sorry... but I've had the urge to write a K/J fic for a while now. And again, thanks to all my reviewers!
oceanspike – Wow! Thanks a lot! Yes, there will definitely be some K/J action later, but first I have to make them hate each other. It may take a while, but I swear it'll come!
Mystic Moon Empress – It's kinda funny that I write K/J, 'cause I used to really hate it. And you're welcome!
Imperfectionist ;D – Thanks! And yes, I loved that story. This is my only K/J, though.
Nolee of Stone Mountain – AFTER ALL THAT TIME YOU WERE TELLING ME TO PUT THIS UP, YOU WEREN'T MY FIRST REVIEWER??? And what the heck prompted you to give me that random anon. review? I swear I will never understand you... at all...
PsychoLioness13 – You thought it was that original? Thanks!
DaughterofDeath – Thanks!
angelo dell'inferno – Thanks for reviewing!
Xelena – Thanks! I have a really long, weird plot planned out, but it'll probably be changed... such is the whim of my muses.
mepb – Thank you!
The Weaving Wheel – LOL, thanks! It's not going to be a comedy, but I just HAD to include Neal and his abhorrence to vegetables.
dracorium – LOL! Thanks!
dizzydragon – Cool name! Isn't that plot so much fun? LOL
Y'know, I don't usually swear much, so I wasn't going to include much swearing in here, but... it's really hard to write Joren's character without having him swear. So sorry if it offends, I'm trying to keep it to a minimum.
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When Keladry awoke the next morning, anyone watching her would have thought it was any other day in her life. She stretched out, exercised with her glaive, and dressed for breakfast. As she was about to leave her rooms, however, there was a loud rap on the door.
Opening it, Kel expected to see Neal or some of her other friends. What she wasn't expecting was the sullen, tired blond lounging outside her doorway. "Let me in."
Kel didn't move. "Learn some manners, Stone Mountain. We're stuck together indefinitely, like it or not."
Joren sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was obviously too tired to argue. "Please let me in?"
Kel stepped aside, quickly shutting the door behind him. "What do you want?" she asked suspiciously. It wasn't in Joren's character to say please unless he wanted something, and certainly not to her.
Joren didn't answer at first. He inspected the room carelessly, his eyes taking in last night's clothes strewn on the floor and the twisted sheets on Kel's bed. "Who was it last night?"
The lady knight's face snapped into outraged anger. "I am no slut or whore, unlike you, Stone Mountain," she hissed. "And if you think I'll be sleeping with you on this... journey, you're dead wrong." Regaining control of her temper, she leaned against the wall, her Yamani mask back in place. "What did you want?"
"I wanted to know if you were ready. I can have our horses saddled now. Sir Myles also wants to talk to us at the stables."
Glancing at her wardrobe, Kel nodded. "I'll meet you there in a few minutes."
It didn't take her long to empty most of her belongings into a small traveling bag. As an afterthought, Kel fetched some thread and a few needles. Lalasa was right – she was definitely going to need them.
When Kel reached the stables, she saw Joren holding the reins to two horses. He seemed to be arguing with Myles heatedly over something.
When she drew nearer, Joren glared at her. She shot him a scornful look, then turned to Myles. "What's wrong?"
The older man sighed. "Nothing, dear. I was just going over the plans with Joren and he isn't being very amicable about it. Now, the plan is for you to travel as merchants. I've given you a large purse – I want you to actually make a few deals so that if anyone checks up on you, it'll show safe. Naturally, because it would be frowned upon for two unmarried people such as yourselves to travel together, you will pretend to be engaged. Once you reach – "
"WHAT?"
Myles sighed. "Dear Mithros, I know you two aren't exactly friends, but I had hoped you would act responsibly."
"Responsibly?" Joren spat. "You don't seem to understand. I made her life miserable from the moment she came to the palace. She got my friends convicted under charges at the Temple of the Moon Goddess. We manage to be civil to each other, but that's it. And now you're sending us off into a foreign country for the Goddess only knows how long, and you want you to pretend to be engaged as well?" His handsome features were twisted into a disgusted glare.
Myles looked down his nose at the younger knight. "Stone Mountain, control yourself," he said coolly. "You both agreed to this mission. You will carry it out as I see fit." Ignoring the furious stares of the two enemies, he continued detailing their plan. When he was done, he shoved the various papers into Joren's arms. "Keep these with you. If you don't follow them, I'll know. Trust me." Kel briefly thought that the old man looked slightly like a wolf – a dangerous, wise wolf. "You'd better get going now, before anyone comes out." Myles looked at them seriously. "A lot depends on you two. Please don't ruin anything." He clapped them each on the back and strolled away, whistling innocently.
Kel glanced at Joren. He was avoiding her eyes. "Hurry up, Mindelan, we don't have all day," he snapped, checking his horse's buckles.
Kel swung into Hoshi's saddle and rolled her eyes. This was going to be a long, tedious journey...
--------------------
They rode in silence for most of the day, cautious of all strangers they met. Kel and Joren both wore simple peasant's garb, hoping to attract less attention. They firmly stuck to the Great Road East, and were thankful to find that most passersby paid them no attention.
That evening, as they neared Goldenlake, they began to bicker softly. "The horses need to rest," Kel murmured. "They're been walking all day."
Joren drew himself up. "My stallion is capable of galloping all day. It's not my fault your mare is a weakling." He patted his horse's neck.
Kel glared at him. "Hoshi is perfectly able to do that as well, but they will need to stay fresh. They need their rest if we're planning on riding them all day for a week or two."
In the end, once the bitter words had finished falling from their lips, they stabled both mare and stallion at a small inn. Inside, Joren ambled over to the elderly woman who was carefully making marks in a ledger. "We need tw – " he began to say loftily.
"A room for the night," Kel interrupted firmly. "If it's available." She twined her arm lightly through Joren's and smiled shyly.
The woman looked up at them. "Of course, loves. My name is Sarah, and if you need anything, please let me know." She picked up a large key ring and removed one. "Here, let me show you to your rooms."
Kel giggled uncharacteristically. "Oh, thank you ever so much."
Once they were safely inside their room, Joren whirled on Kel, his eyes blazing. "What in the Black God's name made you ask for one room?" he hissed.
Kel scowled right back. "We're engaged, remember? If anyone comes asking after us, we need that woman to tell him or her she saw a couple come through here – not two individuals. And you need to drop the lordly attitude. You're not a noble, you're a merchant."
Muttering something in a dire voice, Joren began to lay his bags on the bed. "What are you doing?" Kel asked in a clipped tone.
He didn't bother to look at her. "You're the one who asked for a single room. I don't know where you're sleeping, but I'm taking the bed."
Cursing softly, Kel laid the extra blanket on the floor. When she turned around, Joren was staring at her. "What?"
"You didn't fuss or say anything about needing a soft bed," he informed her. "That's what a proper Court woman does."
Kel laughed harshly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly a proper Court lady. I've been fighting you boys – and beating you – for years now." She began to clean her teeth.
"Beating us?" Joren stood over her, furious. "You're nothing but a slut who was so desperate for attention that she had no way to get a man other than to join them. You're no knight."
Kel looked at him coolly. "You're the one who almost died in your Ordeal." He didn't reply. "They dragged your body out of the Chamber, and you were so wrapped up in the Black God's clutches they thought you were dead," she continued. "It was nothing but a miracle from the Gods that you survived. And now you're telling me I'm not a knight?"
Joren grabbed her shoulders roughly and dragged her to her feet, his blue eyes glittering in the flickering candlelight. "You listen, bitch," he spat. "You have no idea who I am or what happened that night. You couldn't possibly understand what my life has been like. Don't talk about things that don't concern you. I passed my Ordeal, but you... you had to cheat to win, and we all know it." He shoved her roughly against the wall. "Understand me?"
Kel looked coldly into his eyes. "You're the one who doesn't understand, Joren."
For a moment neither said anything. Then Joren let go of her shoulders and turned away. Without a word, he blew out the candle, removed his tunic, shirt and breeches, and slid into the bed.
Kel quietly removed her confining dress in the darkness, thinking about what had just happened. Ever since that first time she'd seen him bullying the younger boys, she'd wondered what had made him into that cruel monster. It wasn't the vigorous training of pages and squires, because many said he had been sullen and moody even before his training began. She tried to think of the largest influence on her life from her birth to that day she had left her home, and she realized that his family – especially his father – would have been the ones to do this to Joren.
She rolled over and frowned when she remembered Lord Burchard of Stone Mountain. He had stormed into her room the night of Joren's Ordeal, screaming that she had killed his son. Kel had no doubt that she could have died had not Raoul and Buri been nearby. He was a stubborn, ornery man who was one of the oldest conservatives in the realm. Later, when Joren finally awoke, he still didn't apologize for the incident. Too proud and obstinate, she thought humorlessly. No wonder Joren's like that.
Keladry glanced at the figure in the bed. Joren was obviously asleep, but his body jerked. "No," he whispered. "No, I swear I'll do it... Father, please!" He suddenly curled up, as is he had been kicked. "I never meant to... please, no! Leave her alone!" He emitted an anguished cry, louder than before. "She meant no harm, Father! Don't hurt her!"
Joren's voice had risen, and Kel suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs. She quickly got up and sat on the bed next to Joren. The door opened, letting a dazzling white light enter the room. "Dear, is everything all right?" Sarah whispered. "I though I heard something."
Kel smiled brightly. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was thirsty, so I got up to get a drink."
Sarah glanced at Joren. "Handsome one, there. You've good taste in men, dearie." She winked at Kel. "'Night, then."
As the door shut, Kel relaxed. Turning over, she studied Joren's face. He was silent now, but his body moved, as if he was being beaten. His face was twisted in anger and sadness, and Kel realized that this was the true Joren. His mask, so much like her own, protected him from the outside world.
She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and he woke immediately. For a moment, he stared at her. "Wha – Karline?" he whispered hoarsely.
Kel stared at him. "Joren, it's me. Keladry of Mindelan."
Joren blinked for a moment, then sat up quickly. "What the hell do you think you're doing in my bed, undressed?" he snarled.
Kel colored and crossed her arms. She has forgotten that all she wore was a shift. "You were dreaming," she informed him. "You began to talk in your sleep, and I had to quiet you before Sarah came. Thankfully, by the time she got here, you had shut up. I didn't have any time to get dressed; the more immediate problem was that if Sarah saw me sleeping on the floor, she would have suspected something."
When Kel looked up at Joren, he was even paler than usual. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked softly. "You were pleading and calling out – "
"It was nothing, Mindelan," Joren said sharply. "None of your Gods-damned business, so leave me alone!" He rolled over so he faced away from her.
Kel sat in the darkness for another moment, watching the still figure before her. His chest rose unevenly, like he was trying not to cry out. After a few minutes, his breathing settled down to a more regular beat. Thinking he must have fallen asleep, Kel began to rise from the bed.
Joren's hand darted to her arm. "Mindelan, if you ever repeat anything I said, you'll regret it," he hissed.
Kel wrenched free. "I wasn't going to," she told him quietly. Lying down on her blanket again, she tried to think about what had happened. Who was Karline, and had Burchard truly beat his son or was it nothing but a nightmare? Kel struggled to hang on to her thoughts – she needed to sort this out – but sleep overtook her and she closed her eyes.
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A/N: Wow, six pages... pretty good, for me at least. Hope you like it! Oh, and Nolee dearest? Sorry to disappoint, but you'll have to wait a chapter or two (or three) to come in, I'm afraid. I know, you're devastated, right? coughcough
Please review? I'd like to see what you guys think. Are Kel or Joren IC or OOC? I need some feedback here, people! Thanks!