Redemption
Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all of PotS. Everything you recognize is hers; everything you don't recognize is mine.
A/N: This is the second part of another HUGE chapter. I'm still using italicized font to convey people's thoughts. Thank you for the wonderful reviews!
Home Field Advantage, Part 2
"Kel, I think it's only fair that I tell you about the wagers that are flying around the barracks." Aron said on the morning Kel's match with Joren.
"I know the men gamble on the outcome of these matches, Aron." Kel replied as she stretched. "Lord Raoul made a lot of money off of my jousts when I was his squire."
"No, Kel," Aron shook his head, "It's not just that. There are some rather interesting side wagers as well."
"Alright then, tell me." said Kel, as she took a deep breath. "I can take it."
"Well, you see, it goes back to the time Sir Dermid was in command here," began Aron, "Several of the older men still remember Joren as a feisty young squire. Dermid had three lovely daughters, all of whom are safely married today. But back then, the girls competed for Joren's attention. The soldiers would bet on how long it would take the squire Joren to bed each of the fair maidens, where it would happen, whether Dermid would find out - you get it, right? His ... um, prowess ... was well known. Now, our soldiers don't mean any disrespect toward you, but Kel - Joren really is a fine-looking man. Perhaps you haven't noticed the way he watches your every move - like a hungry cat waiting to pounce - but the men have seen that look in his eyes. The bets are flying around like snowflakes."
"Great. What are the odds?" Kel knew her face was beet red, but she kept her expression Yamani calm. "Men! Men and their silly games!"
"Two-to-one that Joren will bed you before he goes back to Stone Mountain," Aron smiled sheepishly. "That's changed from ten-to-one right before he arrived." Kel winced, but Aron kept talking. "All week long Joren has quietly asked the men if they've ever seen anyone court you in a serious way. He's even asked them how you and I get along - and such. Joren thinks he's being sly, but the men know what he's about. I can see from your expression that you're not happy about this."
"That ... sneaky ... snooping ... snake!" Kel swore under her breath. "Alright, so it's two-to-one. I can beat those odds. I say Joren won't succeed - because Griffin and I won't let him get anywhere near my bed. But what do you say, Aron?" And she pulled a silver noble out of her desk drawer.
Now Aron smiled wickedly. "Between you and me ... I say Joren will get as far as your bedroom. Now, don't be mad - I didn't say you'd give in to him - you know better than to do that. But Kel, this man is used to having women fall at his feet. Just because he spent most of his youth trying to fight you instead of bed you, doesn't mean he hasn't noticed that you're an available female."
"I'm certainly not available to him," Kel said stonily. "Not in a hundred thousand years!"
"Kel, I know we're all adults here," said Aron carefully, "so if you need me, I'll be in my room tonight, but I'm not going to guard your door unless you ask me to."
"But ... I've never ... ever ... given him any reason to think ..." Kel sputtered, losing her composure for a fraction of a second before resuming her Yamani calm. "I am stone. I am stone. I am STONE."
Aron held up his hand to interrupt Kel. "Listen to me, Kel. Everyone here knows the Lord of Stone Mountain has a live-in mistress. He's been away from her all week long - and there are no serving wenches living up here for him to dally with. We men understand one another. I told you, he's the snake, and you're far too compassionate for your own good. Just ... be careful." Then he pulled a silver noble out of his pocket. Kel now had her own wager with Aron. She reluctantly smiled back at him.
Tlink! Clack! Tlink! Clack! Smack! Tlink! Tlink! Smack! Whap! Tlink! Clack! Clack!
Lunge, turn, slash, turn, twist, block, block, turn, jump, lunge, slash, block.
Kel and Joren had been sparring in the practice yard for almost an hour. Sweat poured off of them and they had taken several water breaks. The soldiers and young officers were amazed at how evenly-matched their commander and the mysterious Lord of Stone Mountain were. They also remarked how good the opponents looked together and how much stamina they each possessed. Lots of knowing glances passed among the entertainment-starved soldiers. Watching Kel and Joren spar was like watching two talented dancers moving around the dance floor in unison. Money changed hands time after time as the mock battle went first one way and then the other.
Kel was not too tired yet, but she wanted to end the match before they started making mistakes. There was no point in injuring herself or Joren over some friendly wagers. She appreciated Joren's discipline and his dedication to getting back into fighting shape. Aron had done a good job of training with Joren. She knew he would be ready to defend against any attacks on their caravan to Corus. They were giving the soldiers a good show of their skills, but the men could not hear the verbal - and mental - sparring that was going on between Kel and Joren.
"Good move! Now try to aim higher than that - I almost cut your hand off!" "Mithros! You're slacking, not even taking me seriously."
"Thanks, but I know how to block." "Just you wait - have I got a surprise for you!"
"It's a good thing this is just a practice sword." "Come on! Come on! Fight me already - this dancing around is just a waste of our time!"
"Yes, but have you noticed how strong my grip is now?" "Wench! I know your men still laugh about that!"
Slash, turn, twist, block, block, turn...
"Aron told me you're improvement is remarkable. What do you think helped you the most?" "That's better. Do you think you'll come back for more?"
"I think all the extra weight in my gear really helped me this week. That was very clever of you. Did you think of it yourself?" "Guess what? I discovered your little 'additions' - it wasn't too hard to figure out that you'd use my own tricks against me."
"Oh, no, I trained with weighted practice weapons all during my page years. Remember? I believe that was your idea." "Payback is a ..."
Kel was just about to use one of her signature moves, something that Raoul had taught her when she was his squire, when she felt her feet swept out from under her. Instinctively, she rolled to the side in another movement that Raoul had taught her, but Joren stayed on her, anticipating her every move. Kel didn't understand. She rarely used those moves in training; they were moves she usually saved for actual battles because they were so unexpected. But somehow, Joren knew what she was going to do, and he quickly countered her moves. Too quickly. The moves he used against her were special ones that only she and Raoul and the men of Third Company had worked on. How could Joren know about those moves?
Joren was feeling very confident, but he also was starting to get tired. He knew that Kel would pull out one of her special maneuvers to defeat him, but he had spent a lot of time meditating over his memories of how Kel fought when she was a squire. He figured that she might just save those moves for times such as these and he was correct. Joren was able to sweep Kel's feet from under her and then he knew which way she would roll. They engaged in the mock combat for several minutes more until their swords were locked hilt to hilt.
Joren and Kel strained against each other as their chests heaved with the effort of breathing. They stood sideways to each other, with their sword arms touching, but they still could see each other's eyes. Kel was about to say something witty, when Joren did something completely unexpected. He winked at Kel and gave her one of his most dazzling smiles. Kel was used to Joren's cold smiles, the ones that never really reached his eyes. This smile was the kind Joren gave out when he was in full flirtation mode - it usually got him whatever he wanted. Kel blinked, stunned for a brief moment. That moment was enough time to allow Joren to disengage and then spring backward, barely a few inches away from the tip of her practice blade, and then both of them were on guard again.
"What was that? How did you know about those tumbling moves?" Kel asked through clenched teeth, as she circled him, fighting hard to regain her composure. "You must have been spying on me. But how...? There's no way ..."
"Oh, those are just some different techniques and positions I picked up from ... somewhere." Joren replied, still grinning, his voice now a seductive purr. "At least I learned something useful from my time in the Chamber - and inside your head."
Tlink! Clack! Smack! Tlink!
They continued to fight with both swords and words.
"Look, I appreciate different techniques and positions as much as anyone else, but that ... that was uncalled for," Kel protested, trying hard to hold on to her calm. "You know you wouldn't do that if I were a male opponent." "How dare you flirt with me during a match? And how do you know my secret moves, you sneaky snake!"
"That would depend on the male," Joren nodded his head toward Aron, clearly referring to Aron's preferences. "Don't you remember what the Shang masters used to tell us? Anything can be a diversion. Keep your opponent on his - or her - toes. I'm merely keeping you on your toes, my friend, but I can create a diversion to sweep you off of your toes, if you wish to yield to me now." Joren winked at Kel again just to see her face turn redder. "Mithros! I can feel the anger behind your mask. We just need to redirect all that passion into a more useful pastime activity."
Lunge, turn, block, block, twist, block, turn...
"Not on your life!" Kel fought against her own anger as much as she fought against Joren. "Arrogant ... over bred ... ill-mannered ..." She thought of a new adjective with every move.
Kel wanted to wipe that self-assured smile off of Joren's face, but she also knew she shouldn't fight when she was angry - so she made herself calm down a bit. They fought hard for a while longer, but then they locked swords again; neither one of them could gain the advantage. Finally, as much as Kel hated to do it, she asked Joren if he would agree to a draw. Joren nodded and the two opponents sprung apart at the same time. They bowed to one another, saluting each other with their swords, and then they bowed to the assembled crowd.
"I think we're ready to take on any bandits that come at us between here and Corus." panted Joren. "Gods almighty! That was exciting! But now I've got all this leftover energy ..."
"I agree," said Kel through her own ragged breaths, as Aron came over to them and collected their swords. "But for now, you'd better stay out of my way."
After Joren and Kel clasped forearms to signal the end of their tied match, everyone left the practice yard to get cleaned up. Cheers and groans went up all around and Kel knew that a lot of coins would be changing hands tonight. She did not want to know the final details. Joren walked to the bath house and thought that if the match had gone on any longer, he just might have defeated Kel by doing something more drastic - like kissing her. He tucked that thought away in the back of his mind for later. If her stunned reaction to his blatant flirting was any indication, Joren was sure that Kel felt the jolt of energy pass between them when he winked at her. He also suspected that he and the lady knight looked good together while they sparred. Who would have guessed that the Great Mother Goddess would have chosen such a good match for him? Joren swaggered away, confident that Kel soon would be his - she had to be, because he now believed that her love truly was the key to his survival.
Later that evening, when Kel came into her bedroom after her bath, she was not surprised to find Joren waiting there, blatantly preparing to go to bed with her. She was just aggravated by his audacity, and by the fact that he looked so pleased with himself. Even though Kel was wearing her sleeping shirt and loose breeches, she felt very exposed. Joren's shirt was hanging over her chair and he had turned back the covers on her bed. He looked fresh from his own bath. His damp hair was pulled back into its usual horsetail and his cheeks looked rosy from the warmth of the hearth. She noticed that the hair covering his well-muscled torso was slightly darker than the hair on his head. Kel felt her face burn with embarrassment and indignation as Joren's seductive smile and raised eyebrow indicated that he had noticed her looking him over.
There had been other men who thought they could bed Tortall's unmarried lady knight so that they would be able to brag about it to their friends. It never ceased to amaze Kel that the men who claimed to dislike her - and everything about her choice of a career - often were the same ones she had to outmaneuver so they couldn't catch her alone. She and Dom had been extremely discreet, but she knew there were men like Joren who just could not imagine any female refusing their advances. Kel made herself think of every smooth surface of water she could remember, before she opened her mouth to speak.
"Tell me, Joren," Kel said evenly, "Just what do you think you're doing?" "Mithros! Aron warned me - but this is ... what a pompous ... snake!"
"Kel, my friend," Joren drawled, "That was a great show we gave the soldiers today. Too bad we had to call it a tie - I had just figured out a way to defeat you. I'll have to save it for one of our future matches - that is, assuming you'll let me train with you again. We looked good out there together." He paused and then moved closer to Kel. "During the match you asked me how I know what I know. It seemed to me that you would welcome my willingness to share my experiences with different techniques and positions ..." "Just let down your defenses, little Miss Yamani face. Don't try to play stupid with me - I can see your pregnancy charm dangling there between your..."
"I think there's been a misunderstanding," interrupted Kel, crossing her arms over her chest. "I was talking about different fighting techniques and positions. This is not what I meant. I think you had better leave my room now." "Goddess! It's not fair that he can just stand there and look so ... so ... I am going to pound Aron!"
Joren was stunned. Never in his entire life had any woman ever refused his advances. If anything, he was usually the one who had to refuse their advances. Joren quickly reviewed in his mind what he thought he knew from all his 'visits' with Kel, as well as what he had seen over the past few days. He knew that Kel had had crushes on men before, so he knew she liked men. He knew that she idolized Alanna the Lioness, who was married and had children. He knew she was friends with that animal/woman, Daine, who lived with the King's mage, Numair Salmalin, long before they were married. Lastly, Joren knew that Kel wore a pregnancy charm, which to him signified that she was ready, willing and able to accept a man. At least, that's what he knew from the other women he had been with over the years. So, what was Kel's problem tonight? Surely, it wasn't him. "How can she refuse me? Doesn't she know how many women would kill each other for a chance like this?"
"Joren, my friend," Kel began smoothly, her face Yamani calm; "I suppose I should be flattered by your intentions, but I'm not. Now, I am going back to my office to write up a request for a different lock on my door. When I return, I hope you will have found your way back to your own room." "Or else I will have to beat you into a bloody pulp, you presumptuous pig!"
Kel remembered when she was under Alanna's command, the two women shared many conversations about men and the way many men behaved around ladies. Alanna told Kel that she grew up listening to, and in some instances witnessing, the bawdy house adventures and tales of conquest from her fellow knights - yes, even Raoul. Kel had blushed at some of the stories Alanna told her. It seemed that some men thought every woman should just swoon over their maleness. Alanna even laughed about some of the men who had tried to make advances on her, but she became very somber to give Kel some practical advice.
Alanna's Gift and her Goddess charm's warnings had saved her from many a knock-out potion and other concoctions designed to make women lose their inhibitions, but she soberly warned Kel to always wear her pregnancy charm because Kel didn't have the same advantages. When Kel proclaimed she would just beat up any man who tried to have his way with her against her will, Alanna warned her again that there was always the chance that a man, or a group of men, could overpower her when she least expected. Kel had always heeded that warning, even though she felt fairly confident that she could defend herself against any attackers. Right now, Kel was absolutely sure she could defeat the half-naked Joren who was still standing there in stunned silence, not believing that a woman was actually throwing him out of her room.
"Joren, please," Kel said and she flung his shirt at him. She grabbed a pair of her boots and put them on. "Let's not make a scene here. You'll be back in your own lovely bed tomorrow night, where someone probably is waiting for you. And I'm sure that you will have plenty of opportunities for diversions while we are in Corus. Right now, I'm tired. We can finalize our plans for the big trip in the morning before you leave. I do hope you sleep well tonight." "And alone, you asinine fool! I am stone. I am stone. I am STONE!"
Kel stomped back into her office to find Aron there, laughing and shaking his head. She just glared at him, annoyed that he had been right. She reached into her desk drawer, pulled out the silver noble and placed it in Aron's outstretched palm.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Please read and review. Thanks!