A.N.: I'm sorry I've taken so long to update!
Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns the realm of Tortall and all its characters. Well, the Gentlemen are mine.
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Sworn Enemies: The Mission
Joren had accepted the invitation almost immediately. He loved the idea and was enthused to be part of something big. Being able to work with gentlemen like him on something he believed and could be fully devoted to. He couldn't wait to join them, but first things first.
"Your first task is to befriend that Keladry of Mindelan. Get her to trust you, no more of this childish nonsense. We are here for the good of Tortall, are we not?"
With the conversation fresh in his mind, he told the Gentlemen of the earlier altercation he'd had with Keladry. They were not at all happy with the news. It was only his first day and he already had a small setback. Lord Jotan swept his eyes over the other lords who were frowning at this development. He tucked his chin where his collar bone met his neck and hummed thoughtfully.
"How can you want her friendship so soon after that conversation? No, no, she won't buy that...too suspicious, no no no..." Lord Kesby spoke for the first time, his voice rough with every word clipped. Lord Jotan sighed and walked up to the agitated man.
"No need to panic. It's only a minor complication. Nothing a little quick thinking from clever brains cannot solve, all of which we have right here." He swung his hands out to include the other men. He turned to Joren. "Patience is a virtue, my son. Though, we do need you to be in action as soon as possible..." He rubbed his hands together, settling them on his face with his thumbs under his chin and first fingers on his nose. He looks quite peculiar that way...Lord Parslot had been pacing slowly before the mantle and now spun towards the two so fast he nearly gave himself a whiplash.
"Master Joren?" Lord Parslot stroked his close cut beard and looked at Joren. "How good are you at acting? I need to know how far your ability lies...you'll need it for this task. You'll be friends with your own sworn enemy, though a girl she may be."
Joren smiled slyly as he replied, "Oh, you need not worry in that department, sir. I can be a perfect beggar or a spoiled royal. Or a perfect royal and nasty beggar. Either makes no difference with me." He was suddenly inspired by Lord Parslot's inquiry of his acting skills.
"Ah, sir, if I may be so bold...?" Lord Parslot nodded in assent. "I have an idea. Very simple really, it'll solve the problem easy as pie." He was grinning now, ear to ear. Why didn't I think of it before? I wouldn't have needed to tell them then. "All I need to do is apologize, ask for the girl's forgiveness. Say I regret speaking to her that way and wish for her friendship instead."
Lord Jotan laughed, a sound that rang like a bell and was music Joren's ears. He's pleased! Well, of course...The gentlemen looked from their laughing comrade to Joren, then back to Jotan. That is except Lord Parslot and Lord Kesby, the former smiled and the latter glowered.
"You see? We needn't use our own brains at all! Young Joren thought of it himself. Yes, yes, son, it is quite simple. Hah!" Joren hugged himself smugly.
"Well, I see the task was put to capable hands. You know, I have an idea..." The lord trailed off, turning to gaze at his fellows. "Though it is a matter we should discuss privately to see if my idea is sound?"
Lord Edwase smiled gently and put in, "Perhaps Master Joren can wait our decision in the library next door?" His light voice drew the attention of all in the room. At their nods, he opened a door that Joren had not seen and bowed to the squire. Once Joren was inside, the door shut with a clang behind him. His eyes found an area that wasn't big or small, just enough for five bookcases and a small table by the window. A few feet and his hand drew away the burgundy drapes to reveal the waning sun. The golden light cast him in a warm glow. He turned to search for a clock for the time when a maid entered the room. The sight of a handsome young man seemingly made of gold caused her to gasp and her things to fall from her hands. Joren looked up and seeing the girl, smiled.
"Hello. Ah, I'm looking for the time...I have a previous appointment I must not be late for." Emma, for that was her name, stuttered and then managed to point to a low table in the middle of the room.
"Ah-I, look for the time? I-I'm sure time looks for you! I-I mean, I-I meant no disrespect. I'm sorry!" The girl knelt down to collect her things and in her haste, dropped them again and was so unfortunate that the drink was spilled on the carpet. She quickly picked them up, the glasses clinking against the half full jug, but the damage was done. "Ohh, no!" she cried. Joren glanced at the small clock before turning back to the devastated girl. It's almost time for me to leave...I hope they reach a decision soon...
"No, no, I'm sure it's alright, miss...your name?" He reached for the tray and set it on the table next to the clock. He took her hands and looked into her wide brown eyes. She instantly shook him off and backed away a few steps.
"No, no, I'm no miss! M-my name is Emma, sir, I'm just a maid." She hid her face looking down at the stain. "My lord will be mad! I'll get punished! Ohhh, the carpet!" At her strangled cry, the door opened and Lord Jotan appeared.
"Master Joren, we've reached a decision..." He trailed off seeing Emma and her pained expression. "Emma? What's wrong?" The gentleman came over and his eyebrows rose when he spied the carpet. "Emma. Bring the tray in, my dear, it'll be alright. My lord Parslot..." The other gentleman came in at the sound of his name. The red eyebrows furrowed at the sight of the stain. The maid seemed to shrink before her master and hung her head.
"Emma! What have you done to the carpet? How could you be so clumsy-" He was cut off by Lord Edwase's hand on his arm. The newcomer nodded to Emma who scurried away with the tray.
"There, there, my lord. She didn't mean to, it'll be fixed. If anything, I'll send you that carpet you've been wanting, hmm? The blue and yellow one you complimented on the other day?" Lord Parslot gave him a look, then sighed and nodded. At the sight of the appeased man, Lord Jotan proceeded to tell Joren about their decision.
"As I was saying, we have decided that you will be solely responsible for the matter of Keladry of Mindelan. It will be your mission, you make all the decisions. Our trust is in your hands. Your success will determine whether or not we have made the right decision." Joren's eyes widened and his mouth curled into a satisfied smile. "You will report your progress every two weeks. Is that long enough?" At the squire's curt nod, he continued. "There will be someone waiting for you at the Dragonfly Tavern. Ask the bartender for Sample and he'll lead you."
"I understand, my lord. The sun is now setting and I must go meet my knight master."
"Yes, yes. Go, I'm very sorry to take up so much of your time. Emma?" The girl came to Joren's side and curtsied. "Please show Master Joren the way out." Lord Parslot bowed when he finished and Emma lifted her hand to show the way.
Once outside in the cool air, Joren set his feet in the right direction and began to drift in his thoughts. He pondered his unexpected meeting with the Gentlemen. It all happened so fast! And I hadn't thought they would give me a mission on the same day, the same hour I received my first task! Well, their confidence in me is expected. I am, after all, Joren of Stone Mountain. If only they had approached me earlier…I was already on the friendship road with Keladry, that is, until that maid's trial ruined it. I already admitted to it, it was a matter of pride and I knew I'd only get a fine. Hmph. How shall I go about this...?
He was walking past the practice courts when he suddenly found Keladry of Mindelan alone in the snow. She didn't notice him standing there watching her. In her hands was a yamani bow which was so long that the tip drew a line at her feet. His eyebrows arched, Those are pretty hard to handle especially with the weight it's pretty hard to shoot. A glance at the target revealed a line of arrows starting from the edge inward. The middle circle was empty. He watched as she pulled the drawstring back with effort and let it go with a snap. Bullseye! Right on the dot...she is some talented gal.
Suddenly his task, no, the mission didn't seem as complex after all. About to approach her, a voice calling her name stopped him. The commander of the Queen's Riders came up and Keladry's face contorted in a myriad of emotions. Joren stood there mesmerized by the passionate expression on the young girl-squire's face as she spoke. Perhaps later...it can wait a bit.
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A.N.: Review please!