Disclaimer: These character do not belong to me, they belong to Tamora Pierce.

A/N- *Dodging everything being thrown* I know it has been forever since the last time I updated, and I really wished I had the time to update more often, but I don't even have time to work on my own stories... which I keep being told to do, although I have another year to complete it know... I shall do as much writing as I can during this break because it could be months before I get a chance to do so again. Although I will try to update when I can.

Chapter Eight

Kel's POV

I walked back to my tent trying to figure out Joren's actions lately. I gave up as I pulled out the book and list from my pack once again. After collecting the wood, my group was free of all activities for now so I knew Merric would be able to look through the list with me.

I found him sitting partially in the woods by himself. I flopped on the ground in front of him, placing the book and lists between us. "Kel, hey. You surprised me."

"You don't look very surprised."

"I expected that someone would come out here sooner or later, so no point in worrying about every little noise."

"You seem slightly depressed."

"Not so much depressed as angry."

"Explain."

"I just wish I could do more to stand up for you. I would've loved to hurt Caleb earlier."

"You're doing enough as is just by staying with the guys. It wouldn't be good for you to be hurting them anyways; you're stuck in a tent with them. If you really feel a need to stop a comment or what not, a slight smack to the back of the head as a reminder of proper behaviour should be fine, and you will most likely be able to keep yourself out of trouble that way."

"Why must you always make me feel like an idiot Kel?"

"Stop putting yourself in positions where I can and you will notice that I do that a lot less."

"And I've done so once again. Clearly explain what you've done with this so far please."

He motioned to the items between us so that I would understand what he was talking about.

It didn't take me long to go through what I had done, since even though it had taken me a while I hadn't done much. "It would be better if we could look into the names that only appear in the book. Since we only have disappearances from Corus we might be missing information, these other people may have disappeared from other parts of Tortall."

"If we're lucky that is. There is always a chance that someone has stumbled upon this connection and is using it as a way to make it here, almost as if it is an experiment to test theories about other worlds. Similar to what Steve mentioned the one day when we were playing video games. The idea that there is more than one world and that somehow one might be able to cross from one to the next. Like us going from here to there."

"True, we never did find out about how one can get their name added to the book at all. If all one needs to do is to claim to be from Tortall, overhearing one conversation would be enough to act to have their name added to the book."

"I will talk to Raoul later. This must be brought up with the king. I don't know why none of us had thought about this before."

"We've all been busy since we got back. We're just lucky to have you putting so much effort into this. I would hate to be called before King Jon and have nothing to report."

"I don't know if I fear that or having to report our latest thoughts. It feels almost like an enemy has gotten too much information about our plans right now, and we don't know who the enemy is, because for all we saw of the other world, there are so many people they could be."

"Plus spies like this would number in few in comparison to full troops."

"I don't even want to think like this anymore. It must be near suppertime. I suggest we go and get some food before it gets cold, or overcooked. I will make sure to talk to Raoul the first chance I get."

"I agree to that thought. Tell me what he suggests we do with these thoughts. I know for sure he won't let us send word by message, and we can't use a mage in this situation. I fear that I will be stuck going back by myself if anything."

"None of us will be sent back alone, I can promise you that. Anyways it's not like he can really spare anyone right know. Worse comes to worse we will have to report as soon as we get back, which will be in a couple days at this rate, unless Raoul decides to turn the entire group around and head back to Corus in the morning."

"I don't want to think about going back now. Let's just go get food, and forget the rest for now."

Merric stood up, and headed for the fire. I grabbed the book and lists and put them back in my bag. I left the tent and ventured towards the fire. We were served stew right out of the pot, which hadn't been off the fire for long.

Without thinking I took and spoonful and stuck it right in my mouth. Immediately I began fanning my mouth with my hand. Dom sat down next to me, giving me a weird look, "Too spicy or something for you Kel?"

"Spice I can deal with. Forgetting about how hot food is, not as easy."

"Can you not feel the heat of it with your hand Kel?"

"I can, I just acted without thinking. I've had a lot of other things on my mind lately. Forgotten about some of the simple things, like the fact that hot food burns the mouth."

"You burnt your mouth? Are you okay Kel?"

"I'm fine Joren. I'm not one of the delicate ladies of the court remember?"

"Delicate or not, it still hurts to burn one's mouth."

"Either way, I'm fine, and won't make the same mistake again."

"What mistake did you make Kel?" Raoul asked as he joined the group.

"At this point we might as well shout out to everyone here that I burnt my mouth on the stew."

"Beats burning you hand because you forgot the pot was hot." Raoul said as he pointed to one of the pages having his hand treated by a mage.

"Less painful yes, I guess I was lucky then."

"Maybe for now. I need to talk with you later."

"Yes sir."

"Has our little Kel done something wrong?"

"She isn't your little Kel Dom."

"I'm just trying to bug her Joren. Get her to show some emotion, without having her go crazy on me."

"It takes quite a bit to get her to do that."

"It is worth it when you do see her without it though. Is it not?"

"Can the two of you please stop discussing me as if I'm not hearing the entire conversation?"

I made sure to keep my face blank while I let a little emotion escape through my voice. Both guys flashed a smile at me before beginning to eat their own meals. I looked at the bowl in my hand and took a careful bite before digging in.

After finishing my meal I brought my bowl to the pages washing dishes and handed it over. It made me happy to think that I got off easy today because of the order we arrived in. Nothing beat only having to collect kindle.

I made my way over to the edge of the clearing where Raoul was standing. "You said you wanted to speak with me?"

"Merric mentioned that the two of you came up with a few ideas that should be discussed immediately. He didn't want to say anything at that point because there were too many people around. So I told Wyldon I wanted to go over a few things with you, and asked him to deal with all problems until I get back. So you can speak freely now."

I told Raoul the ideas that Merric and I had come up with. He listened carefully. When I finished he nodded. "I hadn't given much thought about someone from there discovering this information. Jon may have thought of it and is keeping quiet for now so that rumours don't spread. You shall report to him as soon as we return to the castle. Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, I'm not sure if I should be asking you something like this, but what do you think about letting Joren know about this. I'm pretty sure he knows something is up. We do share a tent and group."

"Another thing you should really only discuss with Jon I believe. Although if you believe you can trust him and that he will be of some help, you should do what you think is best."

"I trust him, or I think I can. It is the others I worry about. Merric might not be hard to bring around, but Neal and the prince might be harder."

"They're your friends Kel. I believe they will trust your judgement. Think it over and tell me what you decide. If that is everything I should get back. I still have to keep an eye on the Own sitting around the fire. One can never tell when they decide it is story time, no matter what warnings they were given."

I smiled as he walked back towards the fire where I could see three of the Own laughing extremely hard. I looked at the sky and decided there was nothing more I could do that night. I may have clarified what Joren had figured out, but I felt I needed to check with Raoul before handing over the work for Joren to look at himself. As he said he might be able to give new insight on everything. Something which might be something we need right now as we begin to plan how to approach the families of these missing people.

A/N- Although Joren knew much, I didn't feel right letting Kel hand over everything for him to see without talking to Raoul first. I hope I managed to catch the more serious him with his advice. Please review. :)