Disclaimer- No not mine all Tamora Pierce's.

Okay so here's the next chapter even though you guys only gave me 3 reviews, thank you MEEPER, FanFictionFantom, and Chica Verde. Hope you like it!


Chapter 2

The hard rapping on a wooden door woke Joren, it would be his servant. He cursed as he stepped onto the cold, hard floor. 'How dare these palace people wake me so early, It is Midwinter. I shall have to speak with father on him sending me a REAL servant,' Joren thought.

He opened the door only to find his knight master, Paxton of Nond (A/N is that right?). Shocked Joren stood open mouthed, the man had given him the week off. Remembering his manners just in time, Joren invited him in.

"I have just spoken with the King, we are leaving by noon to head north," Paxton stated, quite to the point.

"Milord, we are in the middle of the midwinter festival, why now? And how will we go through the pass, it is long been snowed shut," Joren protested.

"Do not be pert Joren, We shall leave when I say we leave. The pass is in fact snowed shut, so it's a good thing that we aren't going that way, we will travel first to the coast and from there we will take a ship north."

"My apologies Milord, I will be ready to leave by noon. Should you have me prepare any of your belongings?"

"That is quite alright, I had given you the week off and it is only fair that I should gather my belongings without you." With that the knight turned and walked from the room leaving Joren in his wake.

Moments passed before the reality of leaving had sunk in, it was Midwinter but a squire was to do as told without questioning. He would talk to Garvey, and his other friends at a more reasonable hour. With that he grudgingly gathered his clothing, armor, and other necessaries.

Ready for the day ahead he lounged in a chair thinking of the previous night's ball. His memory was on the edge of remembering what had made it just out of the ordinary, yet couldn't quite grasp the idea. Finally Joren gave up and left for the mess hall where he would hopefully find his friends.

Yuki

From living her whole life in the Yamini Palace, Yuki had learned to wake up before the sun. Though in Tortall this was not necessary, Yuki still arose to an orange sky so that she might practice glaive with Shinko, Haname, Kel, Kel's mother, the queen, and the others.

Memories of the last night flooded her, the ball, the beautiful blond Joren, the innocent kiss. As she dressed and headed to the courts, her head floated high in the clouds. Shinko had joined her and though Yuki still wore the typical Yamini mask her eyes betrayed her giving Shinko reason to worry.

"Yuki are you okay?" Shinko asked in a worried tone.

"What? Why? I'm fine." Yuki replied distantly.

"Did you enjoy the ball last night?" Shinko asked with a humorous glint in her eye, she had seen her friend be admired by many men and guessed that she had fallen for one of them.

"It was quite nice; I think I will like it in Tortall."

"Oh, and what is this sudden change of heart? Have you met someone?" Shinko was desperately trying to inch anything out of her friend.

Yuki brought her fan to cover her blushing cheeks and answered, "Maybe, He is Joren of Stone Mountain. Shinko, he is wonderful."

"I knew it!" Shinko screeched. Yuki was shocked by her friend's unusual openness, and in response shot her friend a reproaching glance.

"I no longer live in the Yamini Islands, I shall be like our friend Kel, a foreigner."

The Ladies found themselves at the practice courtyard, they were the last to arrive, and apologizing profusely they fell into pairs. Yuki found herself paired with Kel, she was a strong opponent though intense lifelong Yamini program she had gone through, Kel's skills were not quite at Yuki's level. Yuki's mind drifted off, thinking of Joren and their trip to the city this coming weekend.

Kel interrupted Yuki's thoughts as she said, "I cannot believe the nerve of Joren. Last night I left the ball with Neal, and when we reached my room I saw his message on my door: 'Go home wench, you may have passed the Big Exams, soon more tests will be headed your way. You'll be sorry you ever stayed. –Joren'. I had contemplated showing the note to Wyldon or Raoul, death threats certainly aren't contained in the Code of Chivalry, but he is just not worth it."

"Joren? Joren of Stone Mountain?" Yuki asked as her face had paled, she looked like she had seen a ghost.

"Yes him, not many others receive my death threats."

"Ohh, I see."

"Why? I advise you stay well clear of him."

"Nothing, I guess I was just wondering."

Kel shrugged off Yuki's odd behavior, she never had understood her friend. Her problems were with Joren, she would question her friend at some other time. As quickly as the idea had come she had forgotten.

Yuki was sweating by the time their practice was finished; she had been forced to take Kel seriously after she had dumped Yuki on the floor. She joined her Yamani friends for breakfast and headed back to her chambers to exchange her sweat soaked garb for a more dignified look.

She sat, relaxing in a large armchair when she heard something being slipped under the door. Yuki picked up the envelope held shut with an elaborate blue seal. As she opened it a creased and folded letter fell out, clearly the writer had wondered whether to send it. The letter read:

Yuki,

I am sorry, but I must delay our meeting this weekend till I return. Think of me often as I head up north, towards the border. Though I have only just met you and will anticipate my return so that we may know each other further. I shall write as often as possible.

Joren of Stone Mountain

Disappointment fell over the Yamini quickly, she had been anticipating seeing him again. Soon she was reminded of Kel's words, was her friend right, he had seemed so kind and the letter had only proved it further. Maybe should would be able to gather a better opinion of him while he was gone. Though she would miss him and secretly wish he was in Tortall, this would help her.

The Yamini sunk into the warm water, letting her troubles drift away. Thinking of the man that rode west with his knight master to defend his country.


ya I know it moves a bit fast and Yuki's relationship with Joren is a bit to strong for only one meeting but o well. So please review!