Keladry of Shang
Please forgive me! i have writer's block and am completely uninspired. Sorry to make you wait so long and then give you such a terrible chappie! I won't be able to respond to feedback for this chapter for a while; I'm going on an exchange trip to France! I can't wait!
Chapter 14—revenge of the Shang goddess
The former first official girl page and her childhood arch-nemesis walked coldly out to the practice courts. Those already exercising there had grown accustomed over the last few weeks to the duo's amazing new friendship, and waved cheerfully as the ex-couple passed. The recipients of these greetings nodded curtly to their friends, walking side by side with cold, jerky steps. Excited onlookers gathered around the only empty court, eager to see a match between two strong warriors who had not fought since their first reunion. The audience had still overlooked the icy air of hatred surrounding the two, taking it for determination rather than hostility.
The noise died down as the two fighters stretched. Joren glared at his counterpart the entire time, glancing at her hatefully whenever he could. The object of his hatred ignored him with the practiced, calm resolve of an experienced and intelligent combatant. Eventually even the naive audience recognized the blatant abhorrence between the opponents, and whispers broke out.
"What weapon do you want, and what are the terms?" Kel demanded bluntly.
Joren sneered at her before calling out, "Sword, you lose and you never fight again." He smirked at her but she refused to be provoked and merely nodded grimly.
"Agreed. You lose and you apologize, you support the females with warrior dreams and you stop hazing women, pages and commoners." Joren grimaced and nearly refused, but her mocking raised eyebrow stung his pride and he growled his acceptance.
They drew their swords before settling into a guard position. A man from the audience stepped onto the court, checked that they were ready, and shouted, "Begin!" The man hastily scurried away, terrified of being caught in the middle.
Kel and Joren blasted towards each other, their swords clashing jarringly. They leapt back, circling quietly as each examined their opponent. Kel leapt nimbly to the side as Joren attacked her skillfully, she parried and executed a beautiful butterfly sweep, her sword slicing through the air towards her enemy. The blonde knight blocked clumsily, taken aback by the speed of his adversary's sword. Kel seized the obvious opening and attacked, forcing her foe back. The blue-eyed bane of her existence pulled himself together and returned her blows with equal force. Their swords whipped gracefully through the air, dancing forward, darting back, clanging against each other.
At last a fighter stumbled fatally and the opposing warrior wasted no time in finishing off their fallen counterpart. Kel smirked coldly down at the heir of Stone Mountain, who ignored the sword tip at his nose, choosing to glower hatefully at the woman who had defeated him. He balled his fists as he hissed out an apology before the crowd. "I'm sorry."
"For what, Joren? You must say everything," Kel taunted him.
"I apologize for plotting against your virtue, for using you and for speaking against you."
"And they say conservatives can't learn…" The Shang Goddess sneered venomously even as her ex-lover trembled with loathing.
"This isn't over, chit. You'll get yours someday, when you least expect it, in a way you won't recognize until it's too late. Watch your shadow, because I'll be in it, waiting to kill you." Joren turned and stalked off, leaving behind the quiet echo of his scornful words.
Kel stared after him and wondered if she should worry. She shrugged and decided that she would worry later. But first, she had to find Neal.
A/N: so there it is. Hope it's ok. Anyways, I borrowed a line from the books… always like that line. Also, I realized that the word b was used, please don't report me for that, I think the ratings ok but am not sure.