Ryan of Haryse
Kassi of Stone Mountain
Disclaimer: Three guesses. No, I'm not Tammy, no, I'm not impersonating her, and no, I'm not claiming to be her. –sulks– Although I did steal Joren...
A/N: Okay, people, I'm going off to camp for a week, so no updates after this. Sorry... I'll be gone from July 25-31, but I probably won't be able to work on it as soon as I get back. So anyways, here's a chapter for now... please review!
DestinyHunter – Aww, thanks!
Nolee of Stone Mountain – Uh... hi, Nolee... dearest friend... please don't kill me... I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you guys an explanation for why I wasn't updating. And you have serious attention issues, y'know that? Seeing as your review was, like, a page long, I s'pose I do have to give you a really long answer, though. Anyways... wait a minute. Wyldon??? Are you nuts? You're the one who was saying he was sexy, NOT me! You can have all of those idiots, Joren's mine. And language! This fic is rated PG-13, not R... I'll probably have to change the rating or something because of YOU and your insane reviews. And what the heck was up with the second anon. review? That was just plain scary... there, an answer that'll probably be just as long as the story. Happy now?
Imperfectionist ;D – Thanks... the trip was okay, other than the fact that I was away from my friends and I didn't have internet... my precious... erm, yeah. I live for the Internet. And I hope you did send her annoying notes! –glares at Nolee– Gods, she DOES have an attention problem... look at that review! Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Death Goddess Assassin – I know. We are poor souls, plagued by the insane hyperness of a certain Nolee Timber. Actually, looking at what I'm writing, it seems that most of my answers are me sympathizing with others who have to put up with her... thanks a lot!
Allimba – Thank you!
Mystic Moon Empress – It was okay... thanks for asking!
Enchantress Sun – I dunno... well, I do, 'cause I'm the authoress, but whatever... that for me to know and you to find out, right? LOL, thanks for the review.
horsegirl – You stayed up that late? Oh, wait... I was up 'til four last night, reading fan fiction... ahem. Maybe I shouldn't be talking. Anyways, thanks so much!
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Kel groaned softly as she felt warm sunlight on her body. Glancing at Joren, she decided to let him sleep. He was probably tired after waking up every night, she reflected as she began to stretch in preparation for her exercises. Gods, why was he so tense? she wondered as she stood up, ready to begin her daily workout. He was so angry when I asked... I know I wouldn't want him knowing anything like that about me, but I'm still concerned. After all, he's obviously not getting over whatever happened.
She abruptly stopped moving. Why do I even care? she thought harshly. He hates me and I hate him. He's treated me like dirt from the first day.
Yes, but he's also scared, another voice informed her. He needs you to help him.
Keladry gave a soft laugh. Joren doesn't need anybody, she thought. He doesn't understand the meaning of friendship and he doesn't want to.
But he understands lust, the voice told her slyly. He's been flirting with you for the past week.
He's only trying to irritate me, Kel protested. And it works...
Are you sure that's it?
Trying to banish her conscience, she muttered, "It's not like he actually wants me."
Joren rolled over lazily, yawning. "Talking to yourself again? How like you. Care to share the conversation with an old friend?" he asked, smirking.
Praying to the Gods that he hadn't heard her, Kel put on a shocked face. "Neal's here? Where?"
Joren stood up, watching her. Kel pointedly avoided looking at his bare torso. "Look, Mindelan, you're the one who suggested we be civil to one another."
"Which does not mean that I trust you or that you can ridicule me constantly," she snapped. She completed her exercises and stood up. "I'm going to take a bath. You might as well return to bed." Without waiting for an answer, she strode into the small washroom, slamming the door behind her.
Once inside, she patiently waited for the hot water. Slipping in the tub, she sighed. Kel could practically feel the tension that had surrounded her for the past week float away on the small ripples in the water. She decided that if Joren didn't kill her on this 'mission', then she would refuse all proposals that came straight from King Jonathan in the future.
Wrapping a towel around her body, Kel opened the door slightly. Joren was indeed laying on the bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. She softly crept over to her bags, pulling out the necessary clothing and returning to the bathroom to dress. He looked so peaceful, Kel reflected. Like an angel or something... well, and the fact that he's handsome and has a nice body...
Jerking upright, Kel shook her head. What the heck did she just think? Gods, she really did need more sleep...
Opening the door, she shook Joren awake. "It's your turn." He nodded and ambled into the other room to bathe. Kel settled down in a chair with one of Neal's books, waiting impatiently for him to finish. Once Joren had finished and was dressed, they proceeded to descend the stairs to the lover tavern. Looking around, Kel saw Joren smirk slightly. She knew as well as he that the men still leaning over the tables would have immense hangovers once they woke up.
Seating themselves at a table, Keladry and Joren were soon served a simple breakfast of biscuits, ham, and milk. They had both decided against being wealthy merchants – the richer you were, the more likely you would get into trouble.
As the dining room slowly filled with the inn's guests, Kel and Joren chatted casually about seemingly pointless things. After a while, though, Kel grew bored with the small talk.
"When do you think we should begin to organize the event?" she asked innocently, staring at him. To any eavesdropper, it would seem as if she was talking about a dinner or their 'wedding', but Joren understood she wanted to begin their assignment.
Knowing that they had to keep up the pretense they were engaged, Joren gently took her hand underneath the table. Kel glared at him slightly, but he smiled back lovingly, fighting a smirk. "I think it would be best if we waited a bit. I'd like to learn more about this town, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, Joren," she replied absently. "I'd like to return to our room. Will you accompany me, please?"
Glancing at her suspiciously, he stood nonetheless. "Of course... dear."
Once they were in their room, Kel flung herself into a chair. "Can't we at least go through the papers Myles sent and see who we're dealing with? I feel so useless."
"You are," he muttered as he reached for his saddlebags. Ignoring Keladry's glare, he shuffled through the parchment until he found a portrait of the man. "This is him. Ryan, formerly of Haryse."
Taking the parchment he handed her, Kel glanced up, surprised. "He's Tortallan?"
"Ryan was the youngest of five sons. His family chose not to send him to the palace to become a knight. Apparently the Lord and Lady of Haryse never had a good relationship with him, as his older brothers overshadowed him. When Ryan was eighteen, he ran away. That was seven years ago. Now he's twenty-five and head of the Gallan Rogue."
Kel whistled softly. "From a Tortallan runaway to Lord of the Rogue is quite a change," she murmured, studying the portrait. Ryan of Haryse had captivating blue eyes and short honey-blonde hair that barely brushed the tops of his ears. Kel would have said that he slightly resembled Joren, were it not for the warmth in his sapphire eyes and the slight smile that played in the corner of his mouth. "Why haven't we seen him around the tavern?"
"He's away right now, or at least that's what I heard. He'll be returning tomorrow night." Joren casually threw the other papers at Kel. "Go ahead and read through it, I'm going to get a drink." He sauntered out of the room.
Kel wasn't sure how much longer she sat there, rifling through the various bits of information. It wasn't until Joren returned to the room several hours later that she realized how late it was. Eyeing the glass in his hand, she remarked dryly, "I thought you had warned me not to get drunk."
Joren glared at her. "It was lemonade. I continue to believe that if either of us gets drunk, we could tell someone who and what we really are, which is a risk I'm not willing to take."
"Like I said, I have a low tolerance for spirits," Kel replied. "Look at this, Joren. Ryan's got away with so much... it's amazing. Tortall has no hold over him, as his parents have disowned him and he no longer resides there. Nor is he a Gallan citizen, so they can't completely control him either." She showed Joren another parchment. "He's not completely cold- hearted, either. In all the raids and thefts that have occurred since he became Lord, not a single woman or child was killed. Once a thief took a teenage girl with him. When Ryan found out, the man was publicly humiliated and exiled from the Rogue."
Kel sighed. "It's a pity that more Lords or Kings of the different Rogues aren't like him," she said softly. "Too many will rape a girl or woman and leave her to die." Glancing up at Joren, Kel noticed for the first time his clenched fist and his furious eyes. "J-Joren?" she asked hesitantly. "Are you feeling well?"
He turned away. "I'm fine," he spat. "Leave me alone." He yanked the door open and stalked out.
Staring at the door, Kel blinked as it slammed shut. Trying to brush the incident away, she thought, And Neal thinks I'm moody...
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A/N: Well, there goes Joren being a total jerk and Kel being her usual calm self. I'm guessing that at least a few of you will begin to understand Joren's dreams... I think I am going to go along with the first idea I had for why he hates Kel. I've never seen it on the site (or anywhere else), so I might as well throw it out there.
I know some people think that it doesn't have enough fluff for a K/J fic, but I want to go slowly with this. I'm trying to keep both Kel and Joren in character and still push them together. Stay with me here, people. Please review and tell me what you think.
I –might– be able to update again before Sunday, but it's going to be really hectic at my house and mother's annoyed so I'll probably be doing a lot of chores, i.e. less time for fan fiction because she doesn't think it's important. Sorry, my own little rant there... what I'm saying is that the possibility of another chapter before camp is small but it is there.
Now go review!
Kazzy
Kassi of Stone Mountain
Disclaimer: Three guesses. No, I'm not Tammy, no, I'm not impersonating her, and no, I'm not claiming to be her. –sulks– Although I did steal Joren...
A/N: Okay, people, I'm going off to camp for a week, so no updates after this. Sorry... I'll be gone from July 25-31, but I probably won't be able to work on it as soon as I get back. So anyways, here's a chapter for now... please review!
DestinyHunter – Aww, thanks!
Nolee of Stone Mountain – Uh... hi, Nolee... dearest friend... please don't kill me... I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you guys an explanation for why I wasn't updating. And you have serious attention issues, y'know that? Seeing as your review was, like, a page long, I s'pose I do have to give you a really long answer, though. Anyways... wait a minute. Wyldon??? Are you nuts? You're the one who was saying he was sexy, NOT me! You can have all of those idiots, Joren's mine. And language! This fic is rated PG-13, not R... I'll probably have to change the rating or something because of YOU and your insane reviews. And what the heck was up with the second anon. review? That was just plain scary... there, an answer that'll probably be just as long as the story. Happy now?
Imperfectionist ;D – Thanks... the trip was okay, other than the fact that I was away from my friends and I didn't have internet... my precious... erm, yeah. I live for the Internet. And I hope you did send her annoying notes! –glares at Nolee– Gods, she DOES have an attention problem... look at that review! Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Death Goddess Assassin – I know. We are poor souls, plagued by the insane hyperness of a certain Nolee Timber. Actually, looking at what I'm writing, it seems that most of my answers are me sympathizing with others who have to put up with her... thanks a lot!
Allimba – Thank you!
Mystic Moon Empress – It was okay... thanks for asking!
Enchantress Sun – I dunno... well, I do, 'cause I'm the authoress, but whatever... that for me to know and you to find out, right? LOL, thanks for the review.
horsegirl – You stayed up that late? Oh, wait... I was up 'til four last night, reading fan fiction... ahem. Maybe I shouldn't be talking. Anyways, thanks so much!
--------------------
Kel groaned softly as she felt warm sunlight on her body. Glancing at Joren, she decided to let him sleep. He was probably tired after waking up every night, she reflected as she began to stretch in preparation for her exercises. Gods, why was he so tense? she wondered as she stood up, ready to begin her daily workout. He was so angry when I asked... I know I wouldn't want him knowing anything like that about me, but I'm still concerned. After all, he's obviously not getting over whatever happened.
She abruptly stopped moving. Why do I even care? she thought harshly. He hates me and I hate him. He's treated me like dirt from the first day.
Yes, but he's also scared, another voice informed her. He needs you to help him.
Keladry gave a soft laugh. Joren doesn't need anybody, she thought. He doesn't understand the meaning of friendship and he doesn't want to.
But he understands lust, the voice told her slyly. He's been flirting with you for the past week.
He's only trying to irritate me, Kel protested. And it works...
Are you sure that's it?
Trying to banish her conscience, she muttered, "It's not like he actually wants me."
Joren rolled over lazily, yawning. "Talking to yourself again? How like you. Care to share the conversation with an old friend?" he asked, smirking.
Praying to the Gods that he hadn't heard her, Kel put on a shocked face. "Neal's here? Where?"
Joren stood up, watching her. Kel pointedly avoided looking at his bare torso. "Look, Mindelan, you're the one who suggested we be civil to one another."
"Which does not mean that I trust you or that you can ridicule me constantly," she snapped. She completed her exercises and stood up. "I'm going to take a bath. You might as well return to bed." Without waiting for an answer, she strode into the small washroom, slamming the door behind her.
Once inside, she patiently waited for the hot water. Slipping in the tub, she sighed. Kel could practically feel the tension that had surrounded her for the past week float away on the small ripples in the water. She decided that if Joren didn't kill her on this 'mission', then she would refuse all proposals that came straight from King Jonathan in the future.
Wrapping a towel around her body, Kel opened the door slightly. Joren was indeed laying on the bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. She softly crept over to her bags, pulling out the necessary clothing and returning to the bathroom to dress. He looked so peaceful, Kel reflected. Like an angel or something... well, and the fact that he's handsome and has a nice body...
Jerking upright, Kel shook her head. What the heck did she just think? Gods, she really did need more sleep...
Opening the door, she shook Joren awake. "It's your turn." He nodded and ambled into the other room to bathe. Kel settled down in a chair with one of Neal's books, waiting impatiently for him to finish. Once Joren had finished and was dressed, they proceeded to descend the stairs to the lover tavern. Looking around, Kel saw Joren smirk slightly. She knew as well as he that the men still leaning over the tables would have immense hangovers once they woke up.
Seating themselves at a table, Keladry and Joren were soon served a simple breakfast of biscuits, ham, and milk. They had both decided against being wealthy merchants – the richer you were, the more likely you would get into trouble.
As the dining room slowly filled with the inn's guests, Kel and Joren chatted casually about seemingly pointless things. After a while, though, Kel grew bored with the small talk.
"When do you think we should begin to organize the event?" she asked innocently, staring at him. To any eavesdropper, it would seem as if she was talking about a dinner or their 'wedding', but Joren understood she wanted to begin their assignment.
Knowing that they had to keep up the pretense they were engaged, Joren gently took her hand underneath the table. Kel glared at him slightly, but he smiled back lovingly, fighting a smirk. "I think it would be best if we waited a bit. I'd like to learn more about this town, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, Joren," she replied absently. "I'd like to return to our room. Will you accompany me, please?"
Glancing at her suspiciously, he stood nonetheless. "Of course... dear."
Once they were in their room, Kel flung herself into a chair. "Can't we at least go through the papers Myles sent and see who we're dealing with? I feel so useless."
"You are," he muttered as he reached for his saddlebags. Ignoring Keladry's glare, he shuffled through the parchment until he found a portrait of the man. "This is him. Ryan, formerly of Haryse."
Taking the parchment he handed her, Kel glanced up, surprised. "He's Tortallan?"
"Ryan was the youngest of five sons. His family chose not to send him to the palace to become a knight. Apparently the Lord and Lady of Haryse never had a good relationship with him, as his older brothers overshadowed him. When Ryan was eighteen, he ran away. That was seven years ago. Now he's twenty-five and head of the Gallan Rogue."
Kel whistled softly. "From a Tortallan runaway to Lord of the Rogue is quite a change," she murmured, studying the portrait. Ryan of Haryse had captivating blue eyes and short honey-blonde hair that barely brushed the tops of his ears. Kel would have said that he slightly resembled Joren, were it not for the warmth in his sapphire eyes and the slight smile that played in the corner of his mouth. "Why haven't we seen him around the tavern?"
"He's away right now, or at least that's what I heard. He'll be returning tomorrow night." Joren casually threw the other papers at Kel. "Go ahead and read through it, I'm going to get a drink." He sauntered out of the room.
Kel wasn't sure how much longer she sat there, rifling through the various bits of information. It wasn't until Joren returned to the room several hours later that she realized how late it was. Eyeing the glass in his hand, she remarked dryly, "I thought you had warned me not to get drunk."
Joren glared at her. "It was lemonade. I continue to believe that if either of us gets drunk, we could tell someone who and what we really are, which is a risk I'm not willing to take."
"Like I said, I have a low tolerance for spirits," Kel replied. "Look at this, Joren. Ryan's got away with so much... it's amazing. Tortall has no hold over him, as his parents have disowned him and he no longer resides there. Nor is he a Gallan citizen, so they can't completely control him either." She showed Joren another parchment. "He's not completely cold- hearted, either. In all the raids and thefts that have occurred since he became Lord, not a single woman or child was killed. Once a thief took a teenage girl with him. When Ryan found out, the man was publicly humiliated and exiled from the Rogue."
Kel sighed. "It's a pity that more Lords or Kings of the different Rogues aren't like him," she said softly. "Too many will rape a girl or woman and leave her to die." Glancing up at Joren, Kel noticed for the first time his clenched fist and his furious eyes. "J-Joren?" she asked hesitantly. "Are you feeling well?"
He turned away. "I'm fine," he spat. "Leave me alone." He yanked the door open and stalked out.
Staring at the door, Kel blinked as it slammed shut. Trying to brush the incident away, she thought, And Neal thinks I'm moody...
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A/N: Well, there goes Joren being a total jerk and Kel being her usual calm self. I'm guessing that at least a few of you will begin to understand Joren's dreams... I think I am going to go along with the first idea I had for why he hates Kel. I've never seen it on the site (or anywhere else), so I might as well throw it out there.
I know some people think that it doesn't have enough fluff for a K/J fic, but I want to go slowly with this. I'm trying to keep both Kel and Joren in character and still push them together. Stay with me here, people. Please review and tell me what you think.
I –might– be able to update again before Sunday, but it's going to be really hectic at my house and mother's annoyed so I'll probably be doing a lot of chores, i.e. less time for fan fiction because she doesn't think it's important. Sorry, my own little rant there... what I'm saying is that the possibility of another chapter before camp is small but it is there.
Now go review!
Kazzy