Chapter 3 - Earthquake
Disclaimer- none of this is mine, it all belongs to tammy.
Kel heard a knock on her door. She opened the door to find Joren standing before her, anxiously running his fingers through his white-blond hair. 'Good evening,' she said, barely civil. 'How can I help you?'
"Can I talk to you? Inside?" Joren asked, emphasizing the last word. Kel nodded and let him in, leaving the door open. "Do we need the door open?"
"Yes. That's the rule. Now what did you want to talk about?" Kel sounded calm, but was still trying to figure out why Joren would want to talk to her.
"Well, I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier this evening. I didn't mean to fight with you, but when you kicked me instinct made me react. And I didn't mean what I said afterwards either, it was just the feeling of battle was still with me. I still want to be your friend," he blurted out, feeling awkward.
Kel stared at him, fighting to keep the shock from her face. Joren, apologizing to her? He was definitely up to something. "Why did you kiss me?"
"I don't know,' Joren sounded a bit impatient. "Do you forgive me?"
She considered this, sensing a semblance of truth in his words. Remembering that she had once been advised to keep her friends close and her enemies closer still, she decided to forgive him. If Joren wanted to be her friend, she wouldn't argue. It didn't mean she trusted him the least, nor would he leave her alone completely. But at least if Joren was playing with her, then Kel wouldn't be as hurt. "I forgive you" she spoke finally, but unable to help herself, she asked again "Why did you kiss me the other morning?"
"Is it such a crime that I kissed you? You're a girl and I'm a boy. These things happen, Mindelan. Did it ever occur to you that I might be attracted to you?" He said earnestly.
Kel practically snorted at the thought, although she knew he could be telling the truth. It was undeniable that he was attractive, and even more so that she was nowhere near as pretty as the ladies that are constantly vying for his attention. Aloud though, she said to Joren, "I'm only thirteen, far too young to be laying with men."
"I wasn't asking for anything of the sort, though you shouldn't kid yourself - you are old enough for such things. I just meant that you are pretty, in your own way, and it isn't that far a leap to think that a man might be attracted to you."
Moving closer to her, he kissed her. This time the kiss was a blend of fire and softness. Forgetting everything else under his gentle ministrations, Kel kissed him back until she remembered the door was open. Pulling away hastily, she said firmly, "Not in here. Not now. Goodnight Joren."
"Nobody saw us Kel," he brushed his lips against hers. "Goodnight." Kel watched Joren head back to his room, striding confidently.
Joren slept fitfully that night. His dreams were haunted by a pair of dreamy hazel eyes and short brown hair. Damn the Lump, he thought to himself as he rose to dress for the day. Luckily Lord Paxton, his knight-master, had given him a whole day off while in talks with the king about the Yamani alliance, so he could go back to sleep after completing his morning duties As he went to the mess hall for breakfast he was flagged down by Sir Gareth of Naxen the Younger "You're Paxton's squire, aren't you?"
"Yes your Grace." Joren bowed, secretly hoping nobody saw him with the progressive.
"Tell you knight-master the meeting is postponed. There was an earthquake at Fief Cavall. Lord Raoul is taking Third Company with him and Lord Wyldon is taking the pages this morning. He wants to check in on things at home personally."
Joren mentally sighed. No doubt he and Paxton would go too, considering how close the knight was with Lord Wyldon. "I'll notify him immediately." With another bow, he took his leave of the Prime Minister and headed back towards his rooms.
Sure enough, when Lord Paxton heard about the earthquake, he wanted to go. "This will be good for you. Being a knight isn't just about fighting. It's also about helping those in need," he gave a fatherly smile to Joren. "Compassion and humility are the true virtues of a knight, Joren, no matter how good you are with a sword." Wisely Joren kept silent throughout this speech. Sometimes he wondered if his knight-master was closet progressive.
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting his knight master's chivalrous. He opened the door and met blank hazel eyes. "Is Lord Paxton here?" Kel questioned, "I have a message from Lord Wyldon."
Somehow Joren managed to put on the usual sneer he used around the Lump and her friends. 'Wait here,' he commanded and turned, only to find his knight-master right behind him.
"What did you want, my dear?" He asked kindly. Joren tried not to roll his eyes. Paxton could be so oblivious at times.
"My Lord Wyldon sent me to ask if you and you squire would accompany him to Fief Cavall. There was an earthquake there the night before last."
"Of course. Tell him I am more than willing accompany him with my squire ." Kel bowed, murmuring her thanks, and left.
Joren slammed the door. He had barely heard the end of the exchange; his thoughts were lost in the depths of her eyes, whilst the memory of her soft lips clouded rational though. That was until he finally come to his senses, remembering that, after all, this was the Lump he was fantasizing about.
"Joren?" Lord Paxton questioned.
He snapped back to attention. "She's the girl." Joren replied.
"Girl? Oh…girl." His knight-master came back to the topic at hand, seemingly preoccupied. "Well I can see why she wants to try to be a knight."
"What?" Joren replied, startled.
"Well look at her Joren. You can barely tell she's a girl. She looks like a cow or an ogre. Probably thinks it's the only way to find a man." He chuckled, inviting his squire to share in the joke. Joren laughed along with Paxton, wondering if it really was that hard to tell if the Lump was a girl. Finally his knight-master gave him his orders. "Squire, go pack. We leave at dawn tomorrow."
AN - Thanks to all my reviewers. Special thanks to Tuathail and Treanz-Alyce for betaing. Please review.