"What in Mithros' name are you doing here, Madame Cheska?" Joren asked irritably. "How'd you get in? Did the guards let you in?"

"Why wouldn't they?" she said in her raspy voice. "I'm beautiful." She put a green ring on her index finger and she transformed into a beautiful lady with bright green eyes, full red lips, and a pert nose. She took it off once more and laughed. "They always fall for that."

"If you can make yourself that beautiful, then why don't you keep it on all the time?" he asked curiously.

Cheska giggled, an odd sound when it came from her lips. "I wouldn't want you as my witch. You'ven't a clue about magic. If you keep beauty rings on for a long period of time, your brain will start shutting down. A rather painful experience. At least, that's what my cousin said."

"You still haven't answered my initial question: What in Mithros' name are you doing here?" Joren leaned back on the bench and crossed his arms. "I no longer need your help."

She squinted at him, a smug smile spreading on her lips. "Yes you do. You told young Keladry the truth." She strode forward, meaning to sit down beside the blond. "Fool," she spat.

He stood abruptly, making her stop in her tracks. "That's your fault!" he remonstrated. "Truth is your best friend, my ass."

"You weren't supposed to tell her!" she chided impatiently. "Stupid little boy."

He made a face. "Then what was I supposed to do?"

"I can't tell you that. It's against the will of the gods! I mustn't tell you what you're supposed to do straightforwardly." She rolled her eyes and sighed down. "Must I explain everything to you?"

He blew air out of his nose haughtily, sitting back down like a kid being put in time out. "I think that the gods don't intend on letting me succeed."

Cheska smirked. "A lot of them voted against warning you, in fact." She crossed her legs and turned so that she could see his face. "But Shakith had protested so hard… Look, I don't know what's in store for you if you don't die but it's going to be big."

It was Joren's turn to sigh. "If I must suffer through this ordeal, I don't want to be big."

"Suit yourself." The seer was never fond over people who didn't care for their future. "I see that you don't require my assistance so I'll be going."

She stood to leave but the squire grabbed hold of her sleeve. "Don't go. I do need your help," he begged, an odd action for someone of such independence.

"I thought you didn't care if you died in the Chamber of the Ordeal," she said haughtily.

"I care, I do. I just don't want to work so hard."

Cheska looked back and saw real pleading in his eyes. Perhaps he does care for his life. Perhaps he'll make it through. "Very well. Go and tell Kel that you're sorry in a week. At her big examinations."

"D'you think she'll listen?" he asked, biting on his thumb.

"I know she will," she said certainly. She took a sapphire ring out from a hidden pocket in her dress. "And I suppose you'll need this. Wear it at all times. If you take it off, I won't assist you, Stone Mountain."

He nodded hastily and took the ring, slipping it onto his right index finger. "Thank you." They were alien words on his lips. When was the last time that he'd said 'thank you'?

"Now, I'll be going." She left the gardens, leaving Joren alone in the spring air.

He yawned. "What a terrible day." He thought that it was best if he got some rest and so he made his way to his chambers and readied for bed.

"I've got a long week ahead of me," he said before he shut his eyes. "One of the longest weeks I'll ever see."

It was, in fact, a long week. Kel brushed him off in the hallways whenever he tried to strike up a conversation and her friends seemed to make a protective ring around her whenever he was around. When this happened, something would pierce through his heart of stone like a knife and he'd wince. Then, he'd feel her and her friends' fury burning in his chest and wonder why in the world he hurt so.

He swore and sat next to Vinson in his chambers. "I don't think she'll listen next week."

"To what?" his friend asked.

"Reason," Joren sighed.

"Kel," Neal said cautiously, knocking on her door. "Will you be coming with us tonight?"

He pressed his ear to the door and heard very light sobbing. His face distorted into a worried expression. He had never seen Kel cry —not even when she climbed down Ballor's Needle, knowing that the chances of her staying were practically zero.

"Kel?" he called again.

"No." Her voice was a mere croak. "Go without me. I'm feeling a bit under the weather."

"Kel, you—er—do..." He hesitated, groping for the right words. "Can I come in? I am a healer."

Inside the room, Kel sighed. Her eyes were not red and puffy as her tears were not the same flow as when Joren told her the possible truth.

She got up, wiped her eyes and splashed cold water on her face. Only when she thought that she was presentable enough for her best friend did she open the door.

Kel looked fine to Neal. She wore her pages' uniform as it was hours until lights out. "Are you okay?" he asked sympathetically.

"I'll be fine after a night's rest," she reassured him. "Not to worry."

"I'll accompany you." Neal walked in, needless of any invitation.

"Neal, you shouldn't be in here." She sounded tired. Perhaps she really did need to sleep. But Neal didn't let that stop him; he would never leave his best friend be, not when he thought something was wrong.

He rolled his eyes. "We'll keep the door open. You have my word."

"I guess there's no stopping you, huh?"

He smirked. "Not a chance. Now sit down. I want to speak with you."

She laughed. "These are my chambers and you're telling me to sit down?"

"Fine," he sighed, plopping himself onto the bed. "If you insist. As an honorable noble man, I cannot disobey orders from my superior."

Kel scoffed but sat beside him nonetheless. "What d'you want to talk about?"

"You, Kel." He put an arm around her shoulders. "You're my best friend. And I love you with all my heart and soul, in sickness and in health, through page training and I'll love you beyond." He looked at her; her eyes had flicked to him for half a second before he said, "You should know that if I can't read you, no one can."

"What if I'm just really good at making my letters jumbled?"

"I'd rearrange them," he said simply. "So, tell me."

The girl page frowned. "Tell you what?"

"Anything. Everything." He looked her in the eyes. "Just let it all go."

They looked at each other for long moments, silence falling over them—not an awkward one, but an understandable one. Hazel studied bright emerald, wondering. Leaf-green studied the colors of the forest, searching.

Kel threw herself at Neal, wrapping her arms around the lanky mage. He returned in kind and shushed the muffled sobs. "I'm here for you, Kel. Never forget it. Ever."

She dug her face into his shoulder, smelling the reassuring mint-like scent of Neal. "I love you, too, Neal. Thank you so much," she whispered to the wet fabric. The page didn't want to let go; the feeling of strong, protective arms around her made her feel safe, delicate—two things she knew she wasn't.

"D'you want to talk about it? I mean, truly talk about it?" She shook her head. "Alright then." And he just hugged her tighter.

Maybe he didn't want to know what Stone Mountain had done to her. It must've been hard to make Kel cry. And besides, it wouldn't make a difference— he'd vow revenge all the same.

"Neal?"

Seaver had looked in to check if Kel was coming with them. The male page saw him and shook his head sharply, mouthing 'not now.'

The dark boy had frowned but decided that if it made Kel happy, he didn't mind—that much. He left, making sure his footsteps made no sound.

"That was Seaver, wasn't it?" the brunette asked, not bothering to look up.

"It was. I bet he wanted you to come spend the evening with us."

It was odd, Kel decided. Neal didn't comfort people like this. He'd say a corny joke, distract them. But that wasn't the case here. Well, I guess he already tried all those… so he's trying a new tactic? I think so…

"Are you okay, now?" he asked, rubbing consoling circles on her back.

She straightened and pulled back. "I think I'll be fine." I hope I'll be fine.

"Would you like me to stay?"

"You can go. I'll be fine, I swear." She gave a watery smile.

Neal grinned. That wasn't good enough to make him leave. "Good. I didn't plan on leaving anyhow."

Kel let her posture droop. "Thanks."

"What are best friends for?"

She lied down, feeling sleepy but really happy. Hadn't it been only months ago that Neal had been her infatuation? Now, he was in her room and they were alone for the evening. But she planned on sleeping?

The page shot up. "Neal, I want to say something to you."

He raised an arched brow. "Yes?"

She blushed. "Er— what d'you suppose would happen if we weren't best friends?"

He laughed. "Well, you'd probably have gotten lost in the palace. And you wouldn't've passed literature."

Kel looked down, flustered. "That wasn't exactly…" She shook her head. "Never mind. Forget about it."

"What'd you mean?" he pressed. "I won't tell anyone." She shook her head sharply. "Fine, I'm leaving." He was joking, of course. But Kel grabbed his wrist.

"Don't. Can you just…" she swallowed, "stay? I don't want to be alone tonight."

"You know I can." He enveloped her in a hug. No, he didn't need to know what Joren did to Kel. He just needed to know—to be—that someone there to catch those tears.

A week passed swiftly for Kel amidst her friends, especially Neal. But the week passed in anxiety for Joren. He was immediately given the cold shoulder when he tried to come around. He wasn't used to it.

"What's up with you, Joren?" Vinson said irritably. "It seems you've pitied yourself for a week now."

"Has it only been a week?" he asked sullenly. "It feels longer."

"Really, what's wrong? So that this horrendous atmosphere lets up."

Joren sighed. "It's Kel. She won't talk to me."

The brunet smirked. "If Kel's the problem, then there's a quick fix to that."

The blue-eyed squire looked at his friend sharply. He didn't like the glint in his eyes, and knowing him, whatever was on his mind wasn't proper. "I don't want to talk about it," he said evasively. "What about Quinden? He'll be taking the big test tomorrow."

Tomorrow, he thought as he looked at empty space. The big tests are tomorrow.

"What about him," he sneered. "He's sure to pass. I was the one who sponsored him, remember?"

"Right," Joren said absently. He quickly turned his attention back to him. It wouldn't do good for Vinson to yell at him.

But as he half-listened, a wave of fresh panic washed over him. What was he supposed to do tomorrow?

Kel awoke to her birds and Jump, who she fed and cared for immediately. It was odd. Lalasa hadn't filled up their bowls. What was odder was the fact that hot water wasn't waiting for her. Lalasa usually tried her best to keep up with her mistress' sleep schedule. She peeped into the dressing room to see her fast asleep.

The poor woman had probably spent the night sewing or something. She decided to let her rest, if only for a day.

Jump whined.

"What's wrong, Jump?" Kel asked, petting the dog's ugly head. It wasn't only Jump who was unsettled. The sparrows had been chirping anxiously. She frowned. She knew to listen to her animals when they wanted to be heard, but she couldn't if she didn't understand what exactly they were saying. "Are you hungry?"

He didn't stop whining. The birds didn't stop chirping.

The girl page heard a knock at the door. Their whining increased greatly in volume.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the person at the door?" They went silent. Their message had been delivered; they just needed to see how she would handle the situation.

It's probably Joren, Kel thought acidly. He usually sets them off like this.

"Who is it?" she called out nonetheless. There was no answer. "I demand you tell me who you are."

Her 'visitor' simply pounded on the door as if doing so would persuade her into admitting him into her chambers.

"Joren wouldn't do that..."

Right, and you know everything about him! She scoffed at herself inwardly. After all those lies. Who are you to say that it isn't him pounding on the door?

The Mindelan girl took her glaive from off the wall, and held it, ready to attack whoever was on the other side. She opened the door, saying "Who are you an —"

She couldn't finish. A powder was dusted over her by the heavily cloaked man, dazing her. "What..." her eyes fluttered. "What sorcery is this?"

The brunette fell to the ground and the peculiar group of animals went to attack the intruder, who fluidly dodged all of their attacks. "You won't hit me," he said as he tossed bird after bird away with a gloved hand. "I'm the best of the best."

The animals were either left wounded or dead, and the intruder was left without a scratch. "Stupid animals can't defeat a creature of chaos," he sneered, hefting the girl-page up, over her shoulder. "And aren't you heavy, darling. Too much marmalade, I presume?"

No one saw him walk down the halls, Kel over her shoulder, clad in a tunic and breeches.

"You!"

Joren turned to the now open door, blond brows raised.

"It's your fault!" Lalasa stomped over to him and slapped him with all her might, leaving a red mark on the squire's face. "What have you done to her? Locked her up in a tower where no one can hear her screams?"

The blue-eyed boy rubbed his left cheek, a confused glint in his orbs. "What are you talking about?"

His calm question earned him another slap. "You know what I'm talking about!"

By now, his face was all crimson. "Look at you, Lalasa. You're standing up to me," he said, smug smile on his lips.

"That's not the point!" But the maid blushed at the realization. He was right; this wasn't the Lalasa that Kel had hired years before.

"She's probably eating her breakfast. You shouldn't jump to conclusions." Joren rolled his eyes.

"I already checked there. And besides, she'd leave a note since I was asleep." She frowned. "Come to think of it, I don't know why I overslept."

Joren blanched. "Then that means... Kel's gone?"

"Yes, you —" She stopped herself before she swore. "You're the one who kidnapped her. Now tell me where she is!"

Worried, calculating ocean blue met Lalasa's brown, making her more anxious than angry. "I don't know."

Lalasa left Joren to search for Kel. She had to get more help. Only two people searching wouldn't do much.

The blond squire's mind raced with thoughts. Where could she be? She couldn't miss her final examination; it meant repeating the four years of page training.

The blue-eyed boy looked from room to room, only half present.

Questions; they raced through his mind only half finishing themselves. Fear; it was something that overcame him, swallowed him up and whispered those terrible possibilities.

He tried to shrug them off. "Focus." His word was a breath, barely audible to even him.

She could be in a deep cellar right now, wrists bound and shirt ripped from whip lacerations.

Another door, another room. "Focus."

An old filthy count could be laying his paws on her right now, forcing her to scream. He shook his head. "Focus."

She could be dying, wishing that you were there to save her.

He stopped. Maybe... But Joren immediately slapped himself mentally. That was ridiculous. She couldn't possibly imagine him as a hero, not after all those lies.

Why are you so worried for her anyways? Joren asked himself, irritated. It wasn't like he loved her, right? He frowned. He had been so stupid. Friendship with women could be achieved without romance; this was something he had failed to see. Men and women were of different class; this had been his view before. Now, everything was different.

He was searching for a friend. That was all. He was searching for a friend he had betrayed, lied to, and toyed with. But he saw her as a friend, nothing more nothing less. Right?

"Wake up, sleeping beauty."

The page's hazel eyes fluttered open to a man of no more than twenty in a servant's uniform. She sat up, eyes open and alert. Her hands were tied to something like a pole. Her feet were tied as well. "Why have you taken me?"

The servant smiled a smile too wide to be genuine. "Please make yourself comfortable. Your stay will most likely last longer than a week."

"That's not an answer," she spat, aware that they were somewhere high up. The wind blew through the windows too hard, and the sky seemed much too close.

"My master has ordered me not to answer any of your questions." That smile didn't wear down, causing goose bumps to form on her skin.

"Why not?"

"I am not allowed to answer your question." He went to the opposite side of the room and sat on a chair. "We must wait patiently for my master to arrive."

Kel grit her teeth. How stupid was she to get caught in a situation like this?

The room she was in wasn't clean, but it wasn't that dirty either. Oak boards made up the floor, and tables and chairs were set around the room. There was a stairway leading up, to the roof but she couldn't see the roof. The door was closed. Think, Kel. Think quick, she told herself. I need a way out of here.

Although she knew that hopes of making the last examination were gone, she still needed to conserve her life. She was sure that whoever had her kidnapped meant well.

The door to her right opened. Subconsciously, she held her breath.

"It's very humid outside, don't you agree, Timothy?"

The man stood at attention and bowed to the boy at the door. "Welcome back, Master Vinson."

"I trust that you have the trollop." The brunet looked at Kel from the corner of his eyes, a malicious smile on his face.

"Yes, my Lord."

The knight walked over to the fourth-year page, boots clicking against the wooden floorboards. "Hello, my dearest Keladry. Today, we'll be having some fun."

Kel blanched and gulped, suddenly sweaty. Memories of late night gossip about unfortunate ladies caught by themselves in an alley swam in her head. She just hoped that Vinson didn't have a twisted vision of 'fun'.

(A/N) Hi! So sorry for the shorter-than-usual chapter. Forgive me, please. T~T I really wanted to update... and so I wrote the next chapter BUT it isn't as long as I wanted it to be because of my problems with discipline. Does anyone have any tips for that? Or is it programmed when you're conceived? xP

Anyhow, reviews are welcome (as always) and they're very much encouraged. Now, it's not a simple button but a box at the bottom of the screen! I'm not used to that box, but I suppose it'll grow on me, in time.

Bye! Until next time (which is soon, I promise. Because I've already got an ending in my mind!) Have a wonderful day and may all gods bless!

Warmest Regards,

Nell