One

I couldn't believe how nervous I was. My hands were sweating, my heart was pounding, I was practically hyperventilating, and my legs felt as though I'd just stood up after sailing on a ship for three days. It was the Choosing Day, and it was my turn. I knew I wouldn't find a place anywhere. I was not a boy, so I could not join Battleschool. I didn't have neat handwriting, like Tam Lee, so I would never make it in Scribeschool. I couldn't cook, as Elizabeth could, so the kitchens weren't for me. I was good with animals, but could never control a horse the way my friend Shades could, so Horseschool was out of the question as well.

But my heart fluttered and my hopes lifted as I saw a tall figure wrapped in green and grey standing at the back of the room. He was a Ranger, but that was the extent of my knowledge of the man standing, cloaked and hooded, that stood behind the Baron's desk. A Ranger, now that was something I could be! I was quiet, agile, and could climb a tree with the best of the boys. The Baron's assistant beckoned me forward and asked my name. He already knew it, of course, but the formalities had to be observed.

"My name is Melannen Lissënel, my lord," I said confidently. My name was Elvish, as my parents had always craved the exotic before they died, and I was proud of that.

"Do you have any preferences, Melannen?" the Baron asked me.

Get this. For a second, I hesitated. Were girls even allowed in the Ranger Corps? Well, there was no better time than now to find out. "I'd like to be a Ranger, my lord," I said, confidence ringing in my voice.

I was plaintively ignoring the fact that a large amount of mutinous muttering had broken out among the Craftmasters, as well as the fact that Shades and Elizabeth were staring at me as though I'd said I wanted to stand in the path of a charging battlehorse.

"A-a-a Ranger?" the Baron finally managed to choke out. I replied with a simple nod.

"Yes, my lord," I said, the confidence still in my voice. "If that is permitted, of course," I added, not entirely sure.

"G-Gilan?" he asked desperately. There was the slightest pause as all eyes turned to the hooded figure, and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.

"I will admit," he said, "although it's never happened before, girls are allowed in the Ranger Corps." My heart was in my mouth by now. The Ranger gave me a quick once-over and said, "She has all the qualities we look for in a Ranger, and I see no reason why her wish cannot be fulfilled. Approved and accepted."

I realized with a small jolt that I'd never heard Gilan speak before. His voice was soft and kind, and it was taking all my self-control not to melt with relief on the spot. I would be a Ranger, and by God, I was going to be the best one I could be, starting now.

"Thank you, sir," I said, some of my confidence gone now that I'd been chosen.

Gilan seemed a bit surprised to be addressed so formally. "There is no need for thanks," he said. If he hadn't had his hood up, I could have sworn he was smiling at me.

"All right," the Baron finally seemed to have regained some composure. "All of you will report to the proper station at eight o'clock, except for Melannen, who will report at six."

With that, both wardmates and Craftmasters left the room in silence.

"Are you out of your mind, Melannen?" Elizabeth demanded of me once we were back at the ward's girls' dormitory. "You, a Ranger! I'm waiting for the shock to wake me up from this."

"I could say the same thing," Shades said, brushing a stray blond lock off her face, "What in God's name were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I wanted to be a Ranger," I said hotly, "And I still do, which is why I'm glad I was accepted. And for those of you who think I'm kidding, I'll repeat myself: I'm glad I was chosen to be a Ranger!"

They both stared at me as though I'd just grown a third eye. "You're insane," Elizabeth said fervently. "Completely and totally insane."

I sighed. "You two are hopeless," I said, hurrying off to enjoy my last day at Meric Castle.