Chapter 6 - The truth and pain

Disclaimer: I would be so lucky if I owned Tortall etc. but I dont't! Tammy is the lucky one!

AN: I hope everyone liked the muffins. But I don't have muffins this chapter so I got giant chocolate cookies as replacement! Can I say one thing before I reply to every review I got, and practically everyone asked me the same thing, so I'm going to answer it all in one. Shineal does not love Joren in a lover sense!! She loves him. Yes. But in a lover way? No! It's sort of like an mother son relationship ok. And she's acting weird because...almost gave away the plot. Anyway read on!! Becuase I want to hide under my desk while I wait for flamers to burn me. (Be honest I'm really scared cos I haven't recieved one in ages.)

But read and enjoy!!!

The place was dark and smelled of stench and salt, it swayed up and down, from side to side. Enough to make him throw up, the dinner he last had. The tight coarse ropes rubbed and scratched against his raw wrists, it took him all his strength to just open his eyes. It was loud; the sound of crashing of waves and the faint scuttling of rats, but the slow thumps from his heart was clearly heard.

Joren had a sinking feeling when he realised that he wasn't in Pirates' Swoop but on a ship. A door opened at the far end of where he was. A burst of day light blinded him, when he adjusted to it, he realised he was stripped from his clothes, chained to two thick iron poles which produced spikes like a rose with thorns. A small figure cloaked from head to toe, concealing its identity stood at the door way. Joren glared and loathed it with a passionate hate. The figure spoke in a melodic voice.

"I hope you like your, accommodations." She said the last word in a twisted sick way.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Joren's voice croaked out only the two questions, though he wanted to curse whoever this is and ask more questions, but his voice left him. A sudden hot piercing pain struck him on his left shoulder and down his chest. Joren cried out but nothing came out. The figure has just whipped him.

"You don't speak unless you are told to and I gave you no permission. However, since it's your first day awake on this ship, I'll answer your two audible questions."

The figure pulled her hood back to reveal a young attractive Yamani. Her long straight black hair was left loose; her chop fringe fell just above her perfectly arched eyebrows. Though she was beautiful, her warped mind portrayed her as nothing but a wench.

"Welcome on board the Dark Ambassador, Joren of Stone Mountain." Her smirk twisted and she left the wounded blonde knight alone in the shadows of the prison.

A tear crept out of his eyes and clung onto him as he clung onto hope. He sighed and replayed the event the night before he left.

Flashback

Joren glared at Kel and the flirting soldier, with jealousy. He wished it was him who she was laughing to. He knew she was happy with the soldier. Why did it matter to him? It's not him she wants, and definitely he shouldn't be moving on to Kel when Felix's death seemed like only yesterday. The pit of his stomach dropped a million miles. He sighed and for some reason he left a lock of his hair in a crack in the stone, knowing Kel would find it. As silent as the night, he slipped away to his room in deep misery.

He walked into his room and closed the door, he lit a lamp and withdrew dagger when he turned around to see the man who took away Felix, the man who created the pain to be caused, and the man who turned the world upside down. It was the Master, sat on a chair perfectly poised and smiling at him.

"Good evening Joren. Sleeping so early?"

"What do you want?" Joren threatened, his voice contrasted the calm voice the Master had.

"Well why don't we sit down and have a little chat."

"I would rather kiss a pig and die from torture than to sit and have a chat with the likes of you!" He screamed; the perfect face of the Master changed to a menacing one and with a large force of magic; Joren was knocked down to the ground, hitting the back of his head hard onto the stone floor. He rose dizzily, never letting go of the dagger in his hand, he turned to his right and drew his sword out of its sheath with a clear ringing sound.

"I wish to be respected Sir Stone Mountain. Don't you think enemies should have respect even when we are against each other?" Joren didn't reply but his grip tightens on the sword.

"What do you want here?"

The master smirked and took out the clear crystal quartz he always had around with him.

"How is you relationship with your squire Joren?"

"What do you want from me about Kel?"

"The way you want her deep in your heart, do you remember the death of your latest lover. The vow that you would love her forever. Well let me tell you Joren, you have already broken that vow, because deep inside you love someone else."

Joren didn't want to hear anymore, he extended his right arm and burrowed the sword deep into the Master's heart. Except the tip of the sword didn't even reach the black heart; he was frozen to the spot and he became drowsy. He dropped his sword and dagger, and fell to his knees, trying hard to stay awake. Before he closed his eyes to a deep slumber, he saw a reflection of himself, not the Master.

Now he found himself on a ship, kidnapped and no one would know that he has gone missing. He hoped more than ever someone would come for him, particularly if it's a tall female squire.
Parcheezie - blushes I feel so appreciated that you love this fic. Don't kill me though lol take care!

Sora Icefreeze - Sorry I ran out of muffins. Do you like giant chocolate chip cookies? Because I left a pile of them for you and the rest of the readers, I mean reviewers hint hint I hope I made it clear Shineal doesn't love Joren in that sense. I think it seems strange if that happens, she seems too old for Joren in my opinion. Take care! And keep writing!!

Alenor - I love you! But please don't flame me!!

VampiricEternity - blushes I love you so much! You definately know how to make my depressing days happy. I honestly don't know what to say about the praise for writing about Shineal but I do feel really grateful and it did take a while. Take care honey!

dreamerdoll - I only have three words to say to you...'I LOVE YOU!' I'm sorry about the cliffies, if there was no cliffies in this, then there won't be more than one chapter. But take care!

chicken puffs - Thank you for your review. I really appreciated it, short and sweet. Take care sugar!

Lady Masbolle - blushes bright red I'm not sure the word awesome is the correct word to describe my fic, I would go for osmething more modest, but I sound ungrateful so THANK YOU!!! give massive but not suffocating hug Look after yourself alright.

Enchantress Sun - Ignore the other readers and express yourself! I love your happy dance, and I love you too! but please don't kill me for this chapter! (or worse do a murder dance) Keep dancing and take care though!

Alcapacien - I would never ignore you because you're SPECIAL! I hope you don't regret of finding out more though. Keep smiling and take care!

soccerchick-08 - I love talking to you on IM, I never done that with someone from so that was a first. I'm really glad you like my fic and I'm also glad we talked. Keep writing, smile and take care!

Aly Spy - blushes You are gorgeous! I hope you still like this after this chapter. Help yourself to a cookie ok. Take care!

alianne of conte - Out of most reviews I got, you had the closest prediction to the plot. I hope you liked or shared the pain of Joren's. He's in my room resting at the moment, so after this I can heal and look after him wink Take care alright!

ossini - Why do you say Shineal is a nasty bum? I'm really interested. Take good care of yourself alright.

PsychoLioness13 - lol Shineal is the goddess of ice and the northern mountains. Explains why people feels cold when she is around. I love you! Did you know that? Keep smiling and take care!

MysticMoonEmpress - I think a little over a week to update is fairly good for me. What do you think? though it would take me a little longer for the next one because I only written the first paragraph of it so far (got a little stuck). I hope this chapter didn't give you a too nasty surprise. Take care!

jumping-jo - I hope you can tie up the ends and put together some confusing things about this and last chapter. I hope you liked this chapter. Take care!

oceanspike - I love parties! My party is in 9 days time! YES!! I hope you liked this chapter though I think I would get a flamer....hopefully not. Keep smiling, keep writing and take care honey!!

Evilstrawberry - You know what they say, the later the better. And I love you! Though I don't think you would love me now that you read this chapter. I hope this chapter also helped you to understand the abrupt changes. Take care my star!!

Ok click the review button, and let me hide behind my bed and leave you some giant chocolate chip cookies for you, but leave some for the others!