Disclaimer- Tortall does not belong to me.

Chapter D

There was a little girl staring at him. At first he would have bared his teeth and frightened her away but he had gotten used to it by now. He just ignored her but she continued to stare. Eventually he realised that she wasn't going to go away

'Can I help you with something?' he asked with all the politeness he could muster.

'You're Sir Joren of Stonemountian aren't you?' she asked in a manner which told him she already knew the answer.

'Yes and you are?'

'Irani'

'The seer?'

'Yes' she seemed to think that this was enough conversation for the moment because she didn't continue. Joren's patience was wearing thin as he asked;

'Well what can I help you with Irani?'

'The shadow.'

'Which shadow?' Joren asked with a horrible foreboding that he would know the answer.

'The one that followed you from the chamber.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' He replied deciding to feign ignorance

'I know how you can get rid of it.'

'I still don't know what you're on about.' But he did and he hoped she would continue anyway.

'You will find it and fight it when it attacks someone you love. Then it will go.'

Joren felt a surge of disappointment rush through him. She couldn't help him after all.

'I don't love anyone kid and like I said before I don't know what you're on about.'

Irani turned and walked away from him.

'And Merric make sure that you send two extra patrols out each day towards the mines. We've had some intelligence from Lord Wyldon about a new group out that way.' Kel finished. 'Now Joren how are the security measures for the King coming on?'

'Fine ma'am. There was some problems with patrols outside the walls at night but we have decided to use magic to cast light round about every so often which should dissuade anyone from trying to get to close.'

Kel sighed and nodded. She had deliberately given Joren what she knew he would view as scut work to try and get him to challenge her but he had not only politely accepted the task. He had thrown himself into the work doing more than she would have expected of anybody except herself. He had also been very helpful and polite to the villagers. He was even beginning to get himself some friends or at least find people willing to befriend him. He didn't seem to want to establish relationships.

'All right everyone, that's good work this week. You can go now and we'll meet again next week. Sir Joren I'd like a word.' Kel waited until everyone had filed out before beginning, 'Sir Joren after the King's visit you will be assigned new duties. There are several small holdings growing up around New Hope. I am putting them all under you're care, against my better judgement I might add. You will make sure that each has adequate means to defend itself and some way of sending a message to New Hope in the event of an attack. I also want you to make sure that no group of raiders sets up camp anywhere near the small holdings.' Kel paused and looked up, his face betrayed no emotion. 'Sir Joren I know that you dislike me and feel no allegiance for the commoners but I am putting their lives in your hands. You are a knight I expect you to follow the code of chivalry.

'Yes ma'am'

Kel looked doubtfully at him, 'Perhaps I should find something else for you to do but there is no one else. I'm trusting you and that damn chamber. If it says you're good enough to be a knight then I hope you can be trusted to do this.'

If Kel hoped for a more substantial answer than 'Yes ma'am' she was not in luck. She barely stopped herself from launching across the desk to choke him. Didn't he realise what was at stake here? She hated his slimy guts and she hated the way he made her feel. She supposed this was the way most people went around. Feeling really strong emotions all the time but this never ever happened to her. And then because the curiosity was to much for her 'What was Irani talking to you about earlier?' If Kel had wanted emotion this seemed to produce it. His mouth twisted even farther and his eye darkened to the colour of a storm cloud.

'Nothing' he answered savagely. There didn't seem to be much more to say so Kel dismissed him and was left to wonder what on earth was going on.

Stupid bitch! Joren thought as he left the lumps office. 'I am putting their lives in your hands' and then she had the bare faced cheek to ask him to follow the code of chivalry! Was there ever a time when he hadn't done his job to everyones satisfaction? Whatever his personal feelings they were always put aside for work and how dare she assume he didn't like commoners. Just because he didn't become bosom buddies like she did she assumed that he had something against them? Well maybe he hadn't done anything to dissprove that notion before but how dare she assume that she knew him now?

It had been satisfying to see her try to keep control of her temper with him. He knew nobody got under her skin the way he did and he loved the sense of power it gave him.

It was funny that the lump had taken the whole thing so personally. Joren had never thought of the as a person. It sounded strange to say but he had never had anything personal against the lump. It was the idea of women fighting that was wrong. It degraded them and everyone they came into contact with. Women just weren't wired the same way as men they weren't set up for fighting. (a/n he believes it- I don't)

Short chapter this time folks- next time it's everybodies favourite character. That's right ladies and gentlemen its King Jonathon. (I've always liked him but others seem to not like him)